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

First with photos and drawings and later with a 3D scanner, the marks in the tuff rock of the cave wall were meticulously recorded.

From Science Daily • Nov. 21, 2023

The river tracks a diverse landscape from the southern edge of the Rocky Mountains through rugged basalt hillsides, layers of volcanic tuff, and the red and yellow cliffs made famous by painter Georgia O’Keeffe.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 18, 2021

Fish Slough, a National Natural Landmark on the eastern edge of the tablelands, includes vivid petroglyphs chipped into bizarrely eroded volcanic tuff formations that overlook a verdant desert oasis laced with meandering spring-fed creeks.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2021

"And 'meeting/trusting' people in my position is really tuff," she noted.

From Fox News • Oct. 5, 2019

“Yo, that was kinda tuff, though. We should add that to the routine when we get home.”

From "Monday's Not Coming" by Tiffany D. Jackson