Bluff Definition & Meaning

bluff
adjective
  1. very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front; "a bluff headland"; "where the bold chalk cliffs of England rise"; "a sheer descent of rock"
  2. bluntly direct and outspoken but good-natured; "a bluff but pleasant manner"; "a bluff and rugged natural leader"
noun
  1. a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
  2. pretense that your position is stronger than it really is; "his bluff succeeded in getting him accepted"
  3. the act of bluffing in poker; deception by a false show of confidence in the strength of your cards
verb
  1. deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand
  2. frighten someone by pretending to be stronger than one really is

Synonyms for bluff

bold adj

fearless and daring; "bold settlers on some foreign shore"; "a bold speech"; "a bold adventure" clear and distinct

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direct adv

without deviation; "the path leads directly to the lake"; "went direct to the office" direct in spatial dimensions

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sheer adv

straight up or down without a break directly

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steep adj

having a sharp inclination; "the steep attic stairs"; "steep cliffs" greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation

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"Bluff" in song lyrics

See how bluff is used in real songs:

  • "Until I, what, until I called his bluff"
    2 Live Crew — Check it Out Y'all
  • "Why you frontin, I can see your blind man's bluff"
    3rd Eye — If it Ain't Rough it Ain't Right
  • "Live boots run by, a vultures calling his bluff"
    Almighty f/ Kevlaar 7 — Daylight

Words that rhyme with bluff

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Usage tips for "bluff"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "bluff" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for bluff to find words that pair well.

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♫ Rhymes with bluff 🔬 Words containing bluff

Frequently asked questions

What does bluff mean?
very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front; "a bluff headland"; "where the bold chalk cliffs of England rise"; "a sheer descent of rock" bluntly direct and outspoken but good-natured; "a bluff but pleasant manner"; "a bluff and rugged natural leader" a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion) pretense that your position is stronger than it really is; "his bluff succeeded in getting him accepted" the act of bluffing in poker
What part of speech is bluff?
Bluff is an adjective, a noun, and a verb.
How many definitions does bluff have?
Bluff has 7 definitions across 3 parts of speech (adjective, noun, verb).

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