definitions

duff

1
[ duhf ]
/ dʌf /
|
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noun Slang.

the buttocks or rump: If you don't like the way things are, get off your duff and do something about it!

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RELATED WORDS

ass, buttocks, behind, backside, derriere, posterior, seat, butt, keister, fanny, cheeks, heinie

Nearby words

dues, dues-paying, duet, duetting, dufay, duff, duff up, duffel, duffel bag, duffel coat, duffer

Origin of duff

1
First recorded in 1885–90; expressive word, perhaps akin to doup

Definition for duff (2 of 4)

duff

2
[ duhf ]
/ dʌf /

noun

a stiff flour pudding, boiled or steamed and often flavored with currants, citron, and spices.

Origin of duff

2
1830–40; dialectal variant (Scots, N England) of dough

Definition for duff (3 of 4)

duff

3
[ duhf ]
/ dʌf /

verb (used with object) Slang.

to give a deliberately deceptive appearance to; misrepresent; fake.
British. (in golf) to misplay (a golf ball), especially to misjudge one's swing so that the club strikes the ground behind the ball before hitting it.
Australian.
  1. to steal (cattle).
  2. (formerly) to alter the brand on (stolen cattle).
to cheat someone.

Origin of duff

3
1830–40; back formation from duffer, in the slang senses “something inferior or counterfeit” or “a peddler of inferior goods”

Definition for duff (4 of 4)

duff

4
[ duhf ]
/ dʌf /

noun

organic matter in various stages of decomposition on the floor of the forest.
fine, dry coal, especially anthracite.

Origin of duff

4
1835–45; orig. Scots dial.; perhaps metaphorical use of duff2, by association with Scots dowf decayed, rotten (see dowf), deaf (of soil) unproductive, springy to the tread
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for duff

British Dictionary definitions for duff (1 of 3)

duff

1
/ (dʌf) /

noun

a thick flour pudding, often flavoured with currants, citron, etc, and boiled in a cloth bagplum duff
up the duff slang pregnant

Word Origin for duff

C19: Northern English variant of dough

British Dictionary definitions for duff (2 of 3)

duff

2
/ (dʌf) /

verb (tr)

slang to change the appearance of or give a false appearance to (old or stolen goods); fake
Australian slang to steal (cattle), altering the brand
Also: sclaff golf informal to bungle (a shot) by hitting the ground behind the ball

adjective

British informal bad or useless, as by not working out or operating correctly; duda duff idea; a duff engine
See also duff up

Word Origin for duff

C19: probably back formation from duffer

British Dictionary definitions for duff (3 of 3)

duff

3
/ (dʌf) /

noun

slang the rump or buttocks

Word Origin for duff

C20: special use of duff 1
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