bluff

See also: Bluff

English

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /blʌf/
  • Rhymes: -ʌf

Etymology 1

From the Dutch verb bluffen (“to brag”), from Middle Dutch bluffen (“to make something swell; to bluff”); or from the Dutch noun bluf (“bragging”).

Noun

bluff (countable and uncountable, plural bluffs)

  1. An act of bluffing; a false expression of the strength of one's position in order to intimidate; braggadocio.
    That is only bluff, or a bluff.
  2. (poker) An attempt to represent oneself as holding a stronger hand than they actually do.
    John's bet was a bluff: he bet without even so much as a pair.
  3. (US, dated) The card game poker.
    (Can we find and add a quotation of Bartlett to this entry?)
  4. One who bluffs; a bluffer.
Derived terms
Translations

Verb

bluff (third-person singular simple present bluffs, present participle bluffing, simple past and past participle bluffed)

  1. (poker) To make a bluff; to give the impression that one's hand is stronger than it is.
    John bluffed by betting without even a pair.
  2. (by analogy) To frighten or deter with a false show of strength or confidence; to give a false impression of strength or temerity in order to intimidate and gain some advantage.
    The government claims it will call an election if this bill does not pass. Is it truly ready to do so, or is it bluffing?
  3. To take advantage by bluffing.
    We bluffed our way past the guards
Derived terms
Translations

Etymology 2

Related to Middle Low German blaff, "smooth".

Noun

bluff (plural bluffs)

  1. A high, steep bank, for example by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.
  2. (Canadian Prairies) A small wood or stand of trees, typically poplar or willow.
Derived terms
Translations

Adjective

bluff (comparative bluffer, superlative bluffest)

  1. Having a broad, flattened front.
    the bluff bows of a ship
  2. Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front.
    • Falconer
      a bluff or bold shore
    • Judd
      Its banks, if not really steep, had a bluff and precipitous aspect.
  3. Surly; churlish; gruff; rough.
  4. roughly frank
    a bluff answer; a bluff manner of talking; a bluff sea captain
    • I. Taylor
      There is indeed a bluff pertinacity which is a proper defence in a moment of surprise.
    Synonyms: abrupt, unceremonious, blunt, brusque
Translations

References

Further reading

Danish

Alternative forms

Etymology

Borrowed from English bluff.

Noun

bluff n

  1. bluff

French

Etymology

Borrowed from English bluff.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /blœf/

Noun

bluff m (plural bluffs)

  1. (chiefly card games) bluff

Further reading

Swedish

Etymology

Borrowed from English bluff.

Noun

bluff c

  1. a bluff

Declension

Declension of bluff 
Singular Plural
Indefinite Definite Indefinite Definite
Nominative bluff bluffen bluffar bluffarna
Genitive bluffs bluffens bluffars bluffarnas
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