biff

[ bif ]

/ bɪf /

Slang.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR biff ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

a blow; punch.

verb (used with object)

to hit; punch.

Nearby words

Origin of biff

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; perhaps imitative

biff

[ bif ]

/ bɪf /

noun

biffy.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for biff

So soon-to-be-Spiderman Andrew Garfield should get the prize for his powerful performance as Biff in Death of a Salesman.
The Tony Awards Are About a Lot More Than Theatrical Excellence|Janice Kaplan|June 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The play also stars Andrew Garfield (The Social Network, Spiderman) as his son Biff.
2012 Tony Nominations Revealed: ‘Once,’ “Salesman,’ ‘Wit,’ ‘Starcatcher,’ and More|Brittany Jones-Cooper|May 1, 2012|DAILY BEAST
[Laughs] I had auditioned for Biff, and everyone they liked as a runner-up became [his goon squad].
Billy Zane Opens Up About ‘Titanic,’ ‘Zoolander,’ and the Lost Decade|Marlow Stern|April 4, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It was three years after his death that Mrs. Biff came to Elinor, with whom she has lived since.
Stories That End Well|Octave Thanet

The three men on shore immediately ran down the bank, and sprang into the water to help Biff out with his burden.
The Making of Bobby Burnit|George Randolph Chester
The late Biff was a handsome man who never let other people's comforts or rights interfere with his own pleasure.
Stories That End Well|Octave Thanet
Mr. Biff Bates, the well-known and justly celebrated ex-champion middleweight, announced Bobby with a grin.
The Making of Bobby Burnit|George Randolph Chester
Biff Bates, quivering with joy, rang loudly upon a porcelain electric-light shade with his pencil and called: Time!
The Making of Bobby Burnit|George Randolph Chester

British Dictionary definitions for biff

biff

/ (bɪf) slang /

noun

a blow with the fist

Irish school slang a blow to the palm of the hand with a strap or cane as a punishment

verb

(tr) to give (someone) such a blow

Word Origin for biff

C20: probably of imitative origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for biff

biff

"to hit," 1877, imitative (as a sound effect, from 1847). Related: Biffed; biffing. As a noun, attested from 1881.

biff

noun

verb (used with object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of biff

biff

noun

Examples from the Web for biff

biff

noun

verb

Word Origin for biff

biff