chuff

¹

[ chuhf ]

noun

1. a rustic.
2. a boor; churl.
3. a miserly fellow.

chuff

²

[ chuhf, choof ]

adjective

, British Dialect.

1. chubby; fat.
2. swollen with pride; proud; elated.

chuff

³

[ chuhf ]

noun

1. a sound of or like the exhaust of a steam engine.

verb (used without object)

1. to emit or proceed with chuffs; puff:

   The train chuffed along.

chuff

¹

/ tʃʌf /

verb

1. slang.
   tr; usually passive to please or delight

   he was chuffed by his pay rise

chuff

²

/ tʃʌf /

noun

1. dialect.
   a boor; churl; sullen fellow

chuff

³

/ tʃʌf /

noun

1. a puffing sound of or as if of a steam engine

verb

1. intr to move while emitting such sounds

   the train chuffed on its way

Word History and Origins

Origin of chuff¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English chuffe, choffe, chutte, of obscure origin

Origin of chuff²

First recorded in 1600–10; compare earlier chuff “puffed cheek”

Origin of chuff³

First recorded in 1910–15; imitative

Word History and Origins

Origin of chuff¹

probably from chuff (adj) pleased, happy (earlier: chubby), from C16 chuff (obsolete n) a fat cheek, of unknown origin

Origin of chuff²

C17: from obsolete chuff (n) fat cheek, of obscure origin

Origin of chuff³

C20: of imitative origin

Example Sentences

I cannot see why she should be rude and chuff and disagreeable.

From Project Gutenberg

So the first day that the old chuff was away from home, he dressed himself like a wayfaring man, and knocked at the door.

From Project Gutenberg

If it happen that a crusty chuff prevents them, the threatening finale is too often fulfilled.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Chuff's great gold watch, fastened to her stomach, gleamed there like a ball of fire.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Chuff covered the drawing-rooms with prodigious tapestries, the work of her hands.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• boor
• lout
• oaf