toff

[ tof ]

/ tɒf /

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See synonyms for: toff / toffs on Thesaurus.com

noun British Informal.

a stylishly dressed, fashionable person, especially one who is or wants to be considered a member of the upper class.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of toff

First recorded in 1850–55; perhaps variant of tuft

Words nearby toff

toe the line, toetoe, toe-to-toe, toey, TOFC, toff, toffee, toffee-apple, toffee-nosed, toffish, toft

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use toff in a sentence

Sure, there are some colorful English aristocrats still around, but is the age of the delightfully nutty toff at an end?
The Death of the English Eccentric|Tom Sykes|November 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Daily Pic: In 1782, Joshua Reynolds gave equal attention to a toff and his mount.
A Horse and His Gent|Blake Gopnik|October 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"Same old Tories", we snort, sinking into the toff-bashing of old like a warm bath, top hats and monocles optional.
What Romney Should Learn From John Major|Justin Green|August 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Toff, (slang) n: a person of the upper classes; a swell, dandy; a good sort.
David Cameron’s Toff Problem|Mike Giglio|May 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Cameron was even heralded as “The Iron Toff” when he appeared on the cover of Newsweek in September 2010.
David Cameron’s Toff Problem|Mike Giglio|May 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST
You see, me gone, there's nothing to 'amper 'er—nothing to interfere with 'er settling down as a quiet, respectable toff.
The Observations of Henry|Jerome K. Jerome
He was a waiter, like myself—not a bad sort of chap, though a bit of a toff in his off-hours.
The Observations of Henry|Jerome K. Jerome
I ain't such a juggins as to go agen a toff as makes it worf while to do as I'm bid an' 'old me tongue.
A Thief in the Night|E. W. Hornung
W'y wouldn't yer go with the toff and pl'y in ther big horchestra?
The Old Flute-Player|Edward Marshall and Charles T. Dazey
The toff who had bought him a drink after the fight and patted him on the shoulder had used those words.
When God Laughs and Other Stories|Jack London

British Dictionary definitions for toff

toff

/ (tɒf) /

noun

British slang a rich, well-dressed, or upper-class person, esp a man

Word Origin for toff

C19: perhaps variant of tuft, nickname for a titled student at Oxford University, wearing a cap with a gold tassel

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

toff

Origin of toff

Words nearby toff

Words related to toff

How to use toff in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for toff

Word Origin for toff