Jeff
noun
a male given name, form of Jeffrey.
Jeff
American
[jef]
/ dʒɛf /
noun
jeff
British
/ dʒɛf /
verb
-
to downsize or close down (an organization)
-
to reduce (staff numbers) or dismiss (an employee)
-
to spoil or destroy ruthlessly
Etymology
Origin of jeff
C20: named after Jeff Kennett, former premier of the state of Victoria, Australia
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Jeff Price, an aviation security expert and professor at Metro State University Denver, told the BBC that the post-9/11 policy change was about reducing the number of people security officers had to screen.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026
“Grangeville,” which Flynn directed for Ruskin Group Theatre, features an acting master class from Tim Cummings and Jeff LeBeau that should not be missed.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026
State Sen. Carol Alvarado and Rep. Jeff Leach, the bill’s author and House sponsor, said surveillance cameras were never discussed when the bill was considered.
From Salon ● Sep. 6, 2026
Exxon, Conoco and even some Trump allies such Harold Hamm’s Continental Resources and Jeff Hildebrand’s Hilcorp Energy have yet to commit to investing in Venezuela.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
It wasn’t Jeff not caring this time, though.
From "Firegirl" by Tony Abbott
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
