bluff
1OTHER WORDS FOR bluff
Origin of bluff
1synonym study for bluff
OTHER WORDS FROM bluff
bluffly, adverbbluffness, nounWords nearby bluff
Other definitions for bluff (2 of 2)
Origin of bluff
2OTHER WORDS FROM bluff
MORE ABOUT BLUFF
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.
Where does bluff come from?
The first records of bluff meaning âbluntâ or âcliffâ come from the 1620s. It is thought to come from the Middle Dutch blaf, meaning âbroadâ or âflat,â which also describes the shape of the cliffside. The first records of bluff meaning âto misleadâ come from the 1660s. It is thought to come from the Low German bluffen, meaning âto frighten.â Bluffing is often done to try to intimidate or frighten someone.
One of the most common uses of bluff is in the card game poker and other table games that involve betting. In poker, you place a bet, often in line with the confidence you have that your hand (the cards youâre holding) will win the game. If you bet higher than your confidence in your cards, this is a bluff. Bluffing can convince the other players that they will lose that game and force them to fold (withdraw from the game). Just as a bluff makes someone seem larger or stronger, a poker bluff makes a hand of cards seem more valuable.
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How is bluff used in real life?
Bluff is often used to refer to intentionally misleading statements.
Just saw a couple threaten their crying child with divorce to shut him up. Call their bluff little man đ
— Tom Holland (@TomHolland1996) March 25, 2018
even though she doesn't believe in love, he's determined to call her bluff
— Andrea Russett – BUTTERFLY WINGS OUT NOW (@AndreaRussett) April 18, 2015
I get a kick out of calling your bluff when you testing my game đ
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) April 19, 2019
Try using bluff!
Is bluff used correctly in the following sentence?
I know youâre telling the truth, and I am calling your bluff.
How to use bluff in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for bluff (1 of 2)
Derived forms of bluff
bluffer, nounWord Origin for bluff
British Dictionary definitions for bluff (2 of 2)
Derived forms of bluff
bluffly, adverbbluffness, nounWord Origin for bluff
Other Idioms and Phrases with bluff
see call someone's bluff.