bluff

¹

[bluhf]

adjective

bluffer, bluffest 

1. good-naturedly direct, blunt, or frank; heartily outspoken.

   a big, bluff, generous man.

   Synonyms: straightforward, plain-spoken, honest, open, forthright, direct, blunt
   Antonyms: roundabout, indirect, circuitous

2. presenting a bold and nearly perpendicular front, as a coastline.

   a bluff, precipitous headland.

   Synonyms: steep, abrupt

3. Nautical.,  (of the bow of a vessel) having a full, blunt form.

noun

1. a cliff, headland, or hill with a broad, steep face.

2. North Dakota, Wisconsin, and the Canadian Prairie Provinces.,  a clump or grove of trees on a prairie or other generally treeless area.

bluff

²

[bluhf]

verb (used with object)

1. to mislead by a display of knowledge, self-confidence, or boldness.

   He bluffed me into believing that he was a doctor.

   Synonyms: trick, mislead, hoodwink, delude, dupe, fool, deceive

2. to gain by a misleading display of knowledge, self-confidence, or boldness.

   He bluffed his way into the job.

3. Poker, Bridge.,  to deceive (an opponent) by a show of confidence in the strength of one's cards.

verb (used without object)

1. to mislead someone by presenting a bold, strong, or self-confident front.

   They threatened to sue, but they were only bluffing.

2. Poker, Bridge.,  to deceive an opponent by a show of confidence in the strength of one's cards.

noun

1. an act or instance or the practice of misleading by presenting a bold, strong, or self-confident front.

   Her story was all a bluff to get money from us.

   His assertive manner is mostly bluff.

2. a person who misleads by presenting knowledge, self-confidence, or boldness; bluffer.

   That big bluff doesn't have a nickel to his name.

bluff

¹

/ blʌf /

noun

1. a steep promontory, bank, or cliff, esp one formed by river erosion on the outside bend of a meander

2. a clump of trees on the prairie; copse

adjective

1. good-naturedly frank and hearty

2. (of a bank, cliff, etc) presenting a steep broad face

bluff

²

/ blʌf /

verb

1. to pretend to be confident about an uncertain issue or to have undisclosed resources, in order to influence or deter (someone)

noun

1. deliberate deception intended to create the impression of a stronger position or greater resources than one actually has

2. to challenge someone to give proof of his claims

Other Word Forms

• bluffness noun
• bluffly adverb
• bluffer noun
• bluffable adjective
• unbluffable adjective
• unbluffed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bluff¹

First recorded in 1620–30; origin uncertain; perhaps from Middle Low German blaff “smooth, even,” or from Middle Dutch blaf “broad, flat,” i.e., of a face or forehead

Origin of bluff²

First recorded in 1665–75; origin uncertain; perhaps from Low German bluffen “to bluster, frighten”; akin to Middle Dutch bluffen “to make a trick at cards”

Word History and Origins

Origin of bluff¹

C17 (in the sense: nearly perpendicular): perhaps from Middle Dutch blaf broad

Origin of bluff²

C19: originally US poker-playing term, from Dutch bluffen to boast

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. call someone's bluff, to expose a person's deception, or challenge someone to carry out a threat.

   He always said he would quit, so we finally called his bluff.

2. bluff with rags, to display confidence in the strength of one's hand when that hand is weak, as a way to win by making an opponent withdraw from play.

see call someone's bluff.

Synonym Study

See blunt.

Example Sentences

Across the 100 or so miles west of Madison, bluffs still soar, valleys still plunge and the air still holds more birdsong than bustle.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Rios’ design takes inspiration from the state’s distinct ecological zones — from shaded oak ridges to bright meadows and coastal bluffs.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He expected tough negotiations but soon realised the scale of the challenge with fighters demanding inflated purses, games of bluff and brinkmanship.

Read more on BBC

But Democratic leaders seem to believe the threats are a bluff or a negotiating tactic.

Read more on BBC

"We aren't bluffing or joking - we don't have a purpose media wise we are only for money and money only and one of our main managers wanted me to reach out to you."

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• cliff 
• crag 
• hill 
• promontory 
• ridge 

When To Use

What does bluff mean?

Bluff describes someone or something that is blunt or frank in a good-natured way. Someone who talks in a bluff manner says things directly but not hurtfully.A bluff is a cliff or hill with a tall face on one side. Bluffs often border a river or ocean because they get their shape from erosion caused by the natural flow of water.To bluff is to mislead by showing strength or confidence. People bluff to make themselves seem more powerful, larger, or of more authority than those being bluffed. A bluff is an act of bluffing.Example: The cabin was built along the bluff, but erosion is making it sink down the hill.