gruff
1gruff
adj \ˈgrəf\Definition of GRUFF
1
: rough, brusque, or stern in manner, speech, or aspect <a gruff reply>
2
: being deep and harsh : hoarse <a gruff voice>
— gruff·ly adverb
— gruff·ness noun
See Examples of GRUFF
- Don't be fooled by his gruff manner—he's really very kind.
- He spoke in a gruff voice.
Origin of GRUFF
Dutch grof; akin to Old High German grob coarse, hruf scurf — more at dandruff
First Known Use: 1691
Related to GRUFF
Related Words: growling, growly, guttural; abrasive, cacophonous, discordant, grinding, jarring, rough, scraping, scratching; cawing, raucous, screeching, squawking, strident; choked, cracked, strained, strangled; dissonant, inharmonious, unmelodious, unmusical
See Synonym Discussion at bluff
Rhymes with GRUFF
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