luff
Americannoun
verb (used without object)
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to bring the head of a sailing ship closer to or directly into the wind, with sails shaking.
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(of a sail) to shake from being set too close to the wind.
The sail luffed as we put about for port.
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to raise or lower the outer end of the boom of a crane or derrick so as to move its load horizontally.
verb (used with object)
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to set (the helm of a ship) in such a way as to bring the head of the ship into the wind.
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to raise or lower the outer end of (the boom of a crane or derrick).
noun
noun
verb
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nautical to head (a sailing vessel) into the wind so that her sails flap
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(intr) nautical (of a sail) to flap when the wind is blowing equally on both sides
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to move the jib of (a crane) or raise or lower the boom of (a derrick) in order to shift a load
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have luffedperfect
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has luffedperfect 3rd person singular
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has been luffingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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is luffingprogressive 3rd person singular
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have been luffingperfect progressive
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am luffingprogressive 1st person singular
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are luffingprogressive
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luffingparticiple
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luffssingular 3rd person
Past
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had luffedperfect
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were luffingprogressive plural
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had been luffingperfect progressive
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was luffingprogressive singular
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luffedsimple
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luffedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of luff
1175–1225; Middle English lof, loof steering gear (compare Old French lof ) < Middle Dutch (unrecorded), later Dutch loef tholepin (of tiller)
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Italian boat, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, quickly tried an aggressive maneuver called a luff, turning its bow into the wind in hopes of drawing a penalty against New Zealand.
From New York Times • Mar. 10, 2021
Spithill, typically combative, tried to luff Team New Zealand at the start of the first beat but the Kiwis crossed his bow and the move cost the Italian boat the lead which New Zealand retained.
From Washington Times • Mar. 10, 2021
“Love is too weak a word for what I feel — I luuurve you, you know, I loave you, I luff you, two F’s, yes.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 5, 2021
In particular, try the scene in which Herzog, casting aside all inhibition, exclaims, in his matchless tones, “We luff you. I luff you.”
From The New Yorker • May 3, 2019
“Or a luff from a leech,” bellowed the man.
From "Stuart Little" by E.B. White
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
