tuff

¹ American  

[tuhf] / tʌf /

adjective

Slang.

1. tough.

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tuff ² American  

[tuhf] / tʌf /

noun

Geology.

1. a fragmental rock consisting of the smaller kinds of volcanic detritus, as ash or cinder, usually more or less stratified.

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tuff British  

/ tʌf, tʌˈfeɪʃəs /

noun

1. a rock formed by the fusing together on the ground of small rock fragments (less than 2 mm across) ejected from a volcano

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tuff Scientific  

/ tŭf /

1. A rock made up of particles of volcanic ash, varying in size from fine sand to coarse gravel.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• tuffaceous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of tuff

1560–70; < French tuf < Italian tufo. See tufa

Example Sentences

Allen also co-founded the Ruff Tuff Cream Puff Estate Agency, which matched squatters with vacant homes in west London.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2023

That same year, he signed with Tuff City Records and was given a production deal.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2023

In 2020, scientists found the Huckleberry Ridge Tuff eruption — which ejected more than twice the amount of volcanic material as Lava Creek did — was also a phased event.

From Scientific American • May 19, 2023

Tuff is a light, porous rock formed by volcanic ash.

From Washington Times • Mar. 3, 2023

Tuff, calcareous, at Coquimbo. —on basin-plain near St. Jago. —structure of, in Pampas. —origin of, in Pampas. —pumiceous, of R. Negro.

From Geological Observations on South America by Darwin, Charles