buff

1 of 3

noun

1
: a garment (such as a uniform) made of buff leather
2
: the state of being nude
sunbathing in the buff
3
a
: a moderate orange yellow
b
: a light to moderate yellow
4
: a device having a soft absorbent surface (as of cloth) by which polishing material is applied
5
[earlier buff an enthusiast about going to fires; perhaps from the buff overcoats worn by volunteer firefighters in New York City about 1820] : fan, enthusiast

buff

2 of 3

adjective

1
: of the color buff
2
or buffed : having a physique enhanced by bodybuilding exercises

buff

3 of 3

verb

buffed; buffing; buffs

transitive verb

1
: polish, shine
waxed and buffed the floor
2
: to give a velvety surface to (leather)

Examples of buff in a Sentence

Noun he's such a film buff that he owns over 3,000 movies protected by a fully enclosed backyard, the couple would frequently sunbathe in the buff Adjective He's at the gym every day trying to get buff. the buff body of an athlete Verb The floors are waxed and buffed every year. She is going to the salon to get her nails buffed.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Soon, modern movie buffs can make these calls for themselves. Rich Juzwiak, IndieWire, 18 Dec. 2024 Victrola Vintage Bluetooth Record Player $60 $49 Amazon Music buffs can take in their go-to tunes in classic fashion with this portable vinyl record player. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
The Chanel Le Vernis Ballerina shade is an elevated take on a basic buff manicure — providing a glossy sheen that straddles the line between sophisticated and lighthearted. Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024 But the magic of Christmas is found in the unexplained, not in watching a buff Santa rappelling into all the world’s chimneys. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
It is buffed or sanded to create a pristine look that removes imperfections. Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Jan. 2025 The outside of these types of receptacles need a bit of buffing with a dry microfiber towel to rid of fingerprints, smudges, and stains. Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for buff 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French buffle wild ox, from Old Italian bufalo

First Known Use

Noun

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1746, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1838, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of buff was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near buff

Cite this Entry

“Buff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buff. Accessed 11 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

buff

1 of 3 noun
1
: an orange yellow
2
: a device with a soft absorbent surface (as of cloth) for applying polishing material
3
: fan entry 3, enthusiast
a tennis buff

buff

2 of 3 adjective
: of the color buff

buff

3 of 3 verb
: to polish with or as if with a buff

More from Merriam-Webster on buff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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