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buff1

Syllabification: (buff)

Pronunciation: /bəf/

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Definition of buff

noun

1a yellowish-beige color: [as modifier]:a buff envelope

2a stout, dull yellow leather with a velvety surface.
a stick, wheel, or pad used for polishing or smoothing.

verb

[with object]

polish (something):he buffed the glass until it gleamed
give (leather) a velvety finish by removing the surface of the grain.

adjective

North American informal

being in good physical shape with fine muscle tone.

Phrases

in the buff: informal naked.

Origin:

mid 16th century: probably from French buffle, from Italian bufalo, from late Latin bufalus (see buffalo). The original sense in English was 'buffalo', later 'oxhide' or 'color of oxhide'

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Definition of buff in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

buff1

noun

verb

adjective

Phrases

in the buff

Origin:

buff in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for buff

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