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
1
: of the color buff
2
or buffed
: having a physique enhanced by bodybuilding exercises
buffed; buffing; buffs
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
Emily Deletter, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
The thousands of documents posted online this week disappointed assassination buffs.
—Michael Barbaro, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
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
Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Apply a coat of wax to the car and buff it to a mirror-like shine according to the information provided on the can or bottle – for example, many waxes must be applied using a damp cloth.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buff
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Noun
Last episode, a tribe swap mixed up the original teams as players dropped their buffs, creating new Civa, Vula and Lagi tribes.
—Emily Deletter, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025
The thousands of documents posted online this week disappointed assassination buffs.
—Michael Barbaro, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
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
Using a good amount of toothpaste and a damp cloth, buff your door to perfection.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Apply a coat of wax to the car and buff it to a mirror-like shine according to the information provided on the can or bottle – for example, many waxes must be applied using a damp cloth.
—Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buff
Cite this Entry
“Buff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buff. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
buff
1 of 3 noun1
: 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
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