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

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

Guff of this sort has its entertainment value, as do passages that barely conceal the memoirist’s disdain for Ms. Harris.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Dexter Guff is a big player in that space, teaching his listeners how to crush it every day.

From Slate • Oct. 18, 2017

Mac Guff was chosen for its ability to create animation with a sense of romance, he said, because of Owen’s affinity for pre-computer-generated animation.

From New York Times • Jun. 24, 2016

USC's Cody Kessler has been the Pac-12 quarterback in the spotlight, but Guff has been gaining ground in national perception.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 31, 2015

But the Labour Candidate had put the pointed question, "Who made cocoa dear in the first place?" and Mr. Guff had evaded the question.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 158, 1920-03-20 by Various