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British

eff

[ ef ]

/ ɛf /

Slang.

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verb (used with or without object), interjection

fuck: Stop effing around and get to work!Eff you, you lout!

noun

the word “fuck”; the f-word: peppering his speech with superfluous and highly offensive effs.

Verb Phrases

eff off, Go away!: Eff off and die, you piece of Martian scum!

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Origin of eff

1940–45; euphemism for fuck, with eff as spelled form of the name of the initial letter

Other definitions for eff (2 of 2)

eff.

abbreviation

efficient, efficiency.

effective, effectiveness.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use eff in a sentence

My sister went to college all the way until she had like one or two more credits to take, and then she was just like, “Eff this.”
Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill on ‘22 Jump Street,’ Penis Kissing, and Julie Andrews’s Boobs|Kevin Fallon|June 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"He was told to eff-off on more than one accession by the surfers here," Mr Robinson said in a phone call today.
Young Prince Charles Was Told to 'Eff-Off' by British Surfers For Drop-ins|Tom Sykes|June 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
A spreadsheet prepared by EFF shows judges dismissing 40,000 defendants from such lawsuits.
Behind the Porn Piracy Crackdown|Richard Abowitz|April 2, 2011|DAILY BEAST
I'm doing what I love best for a few short hours—so eff Madoff right now.
The Bag Lady Papers, Part IV|Alexandra Penney|January 14, 2009|DAILY BEAST

The girl Eff sat by the fireplace, humming some light measure.
Sir Quixote of the Moors|John Buchan
Wal, I toled har, Id stan' by har eff evrithing went ter h—l—an I wil, by ——.
Among the Pines|James R. Gilmore
She had a little maid who attended her,—Eff she called her,—and the girl stood by to watch while Anne did my bidding.
Sir Quixote of the Moors|John Buchan
So I got the tackle of Eff's father—rude enough it was in all conscience—and in the early afternoon I set out to the sport.
Sir Quixote of the Moors|John Buchan
Then she stopped exhausted, smiled on Eff, who sat like a cinder-witch all the while, and smoothed the hair from her brow.
Sir Quixote of the Moors|John Buchan

British Dictionary definitions for eff

eff

/ (ɛf) /

verb

euphemism for fuck taboo eff off

eff and blind slang to use obscene language

Derived forms of eff

effing, noun, adjective, adverb

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