guff

American  

[guhff] / gʌff /

noun

Informal.

1. empty or foolish talk; nonsense.

2. insolent talk.

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guff British  

/ ɡʌf /

noun

1. slang ridiculous or insolent talk

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Etymology

Origin of guff

First recorded in 1815–25; perhaps imitative

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Explanation

Guff is foolishness — it's when you behave or speak in an meaningless or objectionable way. You might dismiss a controversial article by calling it a bunch of guff. Sometimes guff is defined as "lies," but it can also be simply ridiculous ideas or speech. Your teacher might dismiss your excuse for being late to class by saying, "That story's just a bunch of guff!" The informal guff gets its sense of "empty talk" from its original meaning, "puff of air." An unrelated but interesting kind of guff is the Scottish meaning, "an unpleasant smell."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

guff

“Hate to say it but we all got played,” complained fellow actor and guff buyer Mark Ruffalo.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

It is tempting to dismiss this kind of label as typically meaningless Westminster guff.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2023

And if you do try to return it, and they give you some guff, they give you some attitude, then you wield that Yelp sword.

From Salon ● Mar. 29, 2023

With leathery vocals and visceral but multileveled beats, it’s an excursion through layers of club culture, connecting with pride, pleasure and self-definition and taking no guff from anyone.

From New York Times ● Nov. 30, 2022

Editor’s note: for Muggle edition, usual guff: ‘obvious fiction—all good fun—nothing to worry about—hope you enjoy it’

From "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" by J.K. Rowling

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