cuff

1 of 4

noun (1)

ˈkəf 

1

: something (such as a part of a sleeve or glove) encircling the wrist

2

: the turned-back hem of a trouser leg

3

a

: handcuff

—usually used in plural

b

: a usually wide metal band worn as a bracelet

4

: an inflatable band that is wrapped around an extremity to control the flow of blood through the part when recording blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer

cuffless

ˈkəf-ləs 

adjective

see also:

off the cuff on the cuff

cuff

2 of 4

verb (1)

cuffed; cuffing; cuffs

transitive verb

1

: to furnish with a cuff

2

: handcuff

cuff

3 of 4

verb (2)

cuffed; cuffing; cuffs

transitive verb

: to strike especially with or as if with the palm of the hand : buffet

intransitive verb

: fight, scuffle

cuff

4 of 4

noun (2)

: a blow with the hand especially when open : slap

Synonyms of cuff

Noun (1)

• swipe
• slap
• punch
• blow
• stroke
• thump
• thud
• knock
• pound
• whack
• hit
• clip
• poke
• smack
• lick
• sock
• spank
• belt
• hook
• slam
• bang
• beat
• welt
• knee

Noun (2)

• bracelet
• handcuff(s)
• chain

Examples of cuff in a Sentence

Noun (1)

the mama cat would give her kittens a cuff with a paw whenever they played too rough

Noun (2)

the policeman snapped the cuffs on and led the prisoner away to the car

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Wide fur cuffs accented Tayna Taylor’s inky belted jacket. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 24 Feb. 2026

Epaulettes featured at the shoulders to give the look even more dimension, while deep pockets and an extra set of buckles at the cuffs added further elements to the classic piece. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 24 Feb. 2026

Verb

That all changed when an argument over getting his money back from a North Miami Beach strip club in 2024 led officers to slam him to the ground, cuff him and later, hog-tie him in a holding cell at the North Miami Beach Police Department. —Devoun Cetoute, Miami Herald, 24 Feb. 2026

For her birthday dinner, Rihanna opted for a fuzzy vintage Gucci 1999 cropped coat with varying stripes of fur cuffed up to the elbows, with stripes of tiger print. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 22 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English coffe, cuffe mitten

Verb (2)

perhaps from obsolete English, glove, from Middle English

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

1693, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb (2)

1530, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun (2)

1570, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cuff

• barrel cuff
• cuff link
• flex-cuff
• French cuff
• rotator cuff

Rhymes for cuff

• buff
• duff
• fluff
• gruff
• hough
• huff
• luff
• muff
• puff
• rough
• ruff
• scruff

Kids Definition

cuff

1 of 3 noun

ˈkəf 

1

: a part of a sleeve or glove that goes around the wrist

2

: the turned-back hem of a trouser leg

3

: a band that is capable of being inflated and is wrapped around an arm or leg to control the flow of blood through the part when measuring blood pressure

cuff

2 of 3 verb

: to strike with or as if with the palm of the hand

cuff

3 of 3 noun

: a blow with the hand especially when open : slap

Medical Definition

cuff

noun

ˈkəf 

1

: an inflatable band that is wrapped around an extremity to control the flow of blood through the part when recording blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer

2

: an anatomical structure shaped like a cuff

especially : rotator cuff

repair of complete shoulder cuff avulsion

—Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology