cuff

¹

[kuhf]

noun

1. a fold or band serving as a trimming or finish for the bottom of a sleeve.

2. a turned-up fold, as at the bottom of a trouser leg.

3. the part of a gauntlet or long glove that extends over the wrist.

4. a separate or detachable band or piece of fabric worn about the wrist, inside or outside of the sleeve.

5. an elasticized, ribbed, or reinforced band at the top of a sock or stocking.

6. a band of leather or other material, wider than a collar, sewed around the outside of the top of a shoe or boot to serve as a trimming or finish.

7. a handcuff.

   I accessorized my costume with cuffs, a badge, and a toy gun.

8. Anatomy.,  rotator cuff.

9. Furniture.,  a horizontal strip of veneer used as an ornament on a leg.

10. Medicine/Medical.,  an inflatable wrap placed around the upper arm and used in conjunction with a device for recording blood pressure.

verb (used with object)

1. to make a cuff or cuffs on.

   to cuff a pair of trousers.

2. to put handcuffs on.

   The officer was quick to cuff the suspect and read him his rights.

3. Slang.,  to start an exclusive relationship with.

   You’ve gotta cuff her if you want to keep her.

cuff

²

[kuhf]

verb (used with object)

1. to strike with the open hand; beat; buffet.

noun

1. a blow with the fist or the open hand; buffet.

cuff

¹

/ kʌf /

noun

1. the part of a sleeve nearest the hand, sometimes turned back and decorative

2. the part of a gauntlet or glove that extends past the wrist

3. Also called (in eg Britain): turn-up. the turned-up fold at the bottom of some trouser legs

4. informal,  improvised; extemporary

cuff

²

/ kʌf /

verb

1. (tr) to strike with an open hand

noun

1. a blow of this kind

Word History and Origins

Origin of cuff¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English cuffe “mitten”; perhaps akin to Old English cuffie “cap,” from Medieval Latin cuphia; coif ²

Origin of cuff²

First recorded in 1520–30; origin uncertain; perhaps from a Scandinavian language; compare Norwegian, Swedish dialect kuffa “to push, shove”; also German cant kuffen “to thrash”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cuff¹

C14 cuffe glove, of obscure origin

Origin of cuff²

C16: of obscure origin

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the cuff,

   1. with the promise of future payment; on credit.

   2. without charge; with no payment expected.

      He enjoyed his meal the more because it was on the cuff.

2. off the cuff,

   1. extemporaneously; on the spur of the moment.

      She made those comments off the cuff, and they came back to haunt her later.

   2. unofficially or informally.

      I'm telling you this strictly off the cuff.

see off the cuff; on the cuff.

Example Sentences

Helicopter footage captured by the station showed Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics assessing the man for injuries as he sat on the curb with his hands cuffed behind his back.

From Los Angeles Times

It also heard that plastic cuffs were used and the "extent of force was plainly excessive and beyond what was necessary".

From BBC

He said he "couldn't really hear" the police officers and "the next thing they put me in cuffs".

From BBC

He adds: "We were told we were guests. However, when I was taken to court, I had my ankles and hands cuffed together with murderers and rapists."

From BBC

Video from the scene that the reporter posted to X shows the clean-up work continuing uninterrupted even as an officer tells Ray they are going to “put him in cuffs.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• belt 
• sock 

When To Use

What else does cuff mean?

Cuff can refer to the ends of sleeves or rolled pants, handcuffs, or, in the world of modern love, the act of going steady with someone over the winter months.