noun

buff

buhf

noun

A person deeply knowledgeable or enthusiastic about a particular subject.

"He's a real history buff and can talk for hours about ancient Rome."

adj

Muscular and physically fit, especially with visible muscle tone.

"She got noticeably buff after a year of weight training."

A pale, brownish-yellow color, originally that of buffalo-hide leather.

"The walls were painted a soft buff shade."

verb

To polish something until it shines by rubbing it.

"He buffed the car's hood until it gleamed."

In games, to make a character, item, or ability stronger through a change or update.

"The developers buffed the healer class in the latest patch."

How to Use Buff

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishCan mean an enthusiast ("movie buff"), muscular ("looking buff"), a pale color, or to polish/strengthen something.

Easily confused with

buffet →

Common pairings

film buff buff up buffed to a shine

Word Forms

buffer comparative, more buff comparative, buffed past tense, buffed past tense, buffed past tense, buffs plural, buffs plural, Buffs plural, buffs plural, Buffs plural, buffs singular, buffs singular, buffs singular, buffest superlative, most buff superlative

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He's a real history _____ and can talk for hours about ancient Rome.

Etymology

From "buffe," an old word for buffalo-hide leather, via Middle French "buffle" meaning "buffalo."

Rhymes for buff

duff muff ruff tuff cuff puff huff guff stuff bluff gruff fluff

See all rhymes for buff →