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
Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
The two most zealous space buffs on Earth loom large in Washington, with Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk in a moon race with their respective rocket enterprises, Blue Origin and Space X.
Enter Mark Morris.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 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
Begin by buffing the product onto the apples of the cheeks backwards along the cheekbone.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buff
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Noun
The collection has been described as a road trip companion for Black history buffs and bookstore fanatics.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
The two most zealous space buffs on Earth loom large in Washington, with Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk in a moon race with their respective rocket enterprises, Blue Origin and Space X.
Enter Mark Morris.
—Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 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
The same method as cleaning linoleum works for buffing scratches or scuffs out of patent leather, soft white leather, sneaker midsoles, or vinyl.
—Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 17 Mar. 2025
Begin by buffing the product onto the apples of the cheeks backwards along the cheekbone.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 13 Mar. 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 25 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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