Showing definitions for duff

SEE ALSO

Slang dictionary results for duff

duff

¹ American  

[duhf] / dʌf /

noun

Slang.

1. the buttocks or rump.

   If you don't like the way things are, get off your duff and do something about it!

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duff ² American  

[duhf] / dʌf /

noun

1. a stiff flour pudding, boiled or steamed and often flavored with currants, citron, and spices.

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duff ³ American  

[duhf] / dʌf /

verb (used with object)

Slang.

1. to give a deliberately deceptive appearance to; misrepresent; fake.

2. British. (in golf ) to misplay (a golf ball), especially to misjudge one's swing so that the club strikes the ground behind the ball before hitting it.

3. Australian.

   1. to steal (cattle).

   2. (formerly) to alter the brand on (stolen cattle).

4. to cheat someone.

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duff ⁴ American  

[duhf] / dʌf /

noun

1. organic matter in various stages of decomposition on the floor of the forest.

2. fine, dry coal, especially anthracite.

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duff ¹ British  

/ dʌf /

verb

1. slang to change the appearance of or give a false appearance to (old or stolen goods); fake

2. slang to steal (cattle), altering the brand

3. Also: sclaff.  informal golf to bungle (a shot) by hitting the ground behind the ball

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adjective

1. informal bad or useless, as by not working out or operating correctly; dud

   a duff idea

   a duff engine

duff ² British  

/ dʌf /

noun

1. a thick flour pudding, often flavoured with currants, citron, etc, and boiled in a cloth bag

   plum duff

2. slang pregnant

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duff ³ British  

/ dʌf /

noun

1. slang the rump or buttocks

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Etymology

Origin of duff¹

First recorded in 1885–90; expressive word, perhaps akin to doup

Origin of duff²

First recorded in 1830–40; dialectal variant ( Scots, North England) of dough

Origin of duff³

First recorded in 1830–40; back formation from duffer, in the slang senses “something inferior or counterfeit” or “a peddler of inferior goods”

Origin of duff⁴

First recorded in 1835–45; originally Scots dialect; perhaps metaphorical use of duff ², by association with Scots dowf “decayed, rotten,” deaf “(of soil) unproductive, springy to the tread”; see dowf

Example Sentences

I could flood this list with Championship Manager 01-02 wonderkids - there is room for more later - but we'll just give honorary nods to Maksim Tsigalko, Mark Kerr, Mike Duff, Kennedy Bakircioglu et al.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

Records show that Duff purchased another larger Austin dwelling in 2021: an enormous under-construction mansion that was not completed until 2022.

From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026

Lizzie McGuire star Hilary Duff led the tributes to her former on-screen father, writing on Instagram: "This one hurts. It's really hard to face this reality about an old friend."

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2026

But as Duff points out on a recent afternoon, the paisley-print guitar is all hers.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2026

Duff started the process and Adina finished it by kicking them off with her feet.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray