Library / English Dictionary

BUFF

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

An implement consisting of soft material mounted on a block; used for polishing (as in manicuring)

Synonyms:

buff; buffer

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("buff" is a kind of...):

implement (instrumentation (a piece of equipment or tool) used to effect an end)

Derivation:

buff (polish and make shiny)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A medium to dark tan color

Synonyms:

buff; caramel; caramel brown; raw sienna; yellowish brown

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Hypernyms ("buff" is a kind of...):

brown; brownness (an orange of low brightness and saturation)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "buff"):

snuff-color; snuff-colour (dark yellowish brown)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Bare skin

Example:

swimming in the buff means to swim naked

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("buff" is a kind of...):

cutis; skin; tegument (a natural protective body covering and site of the sense of touch)

Sense 4

Meaning:

An ardent follower and admirer

Synonyms:

buff; devotee; fan; lover

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("buff" is a kind of...):

follower (a person who accepts the leadership of another)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "buff"):

aerophile (a lover of aviation)

aficionado (a serious devotee of some particular music genre or musical performer)

amorist (one dedicated to love and lovemaking especially one who writes about love)

bacchanal; bacchant (a drunken reveller; a devotee of Bacchus)

groupie (an enthusiastic young fan (especially a young woman who follows rock groups around))

metalhead (a fan of heavy metal music)

Holonyms ("buff" is a member of...):

followers; following (a group of followers or enthusiasts)

Sense 5

Meaning:

A soft thick undyed leather from the skins of e.g. buffalo or oxen

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("buff" is a kind of...):

leather (an animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning)

 II. (adjective) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Of the yellowish-beige color of buff leather

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

chromatic (being or having or characterized by hue)

 III. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Polish and make shiny

Example:

buff my shoes

Synonyms:

buff; burnish; furbish

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "buff" is one way to...):

polish; shine; smooth; smoothen (make (a surface) shine)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sentence example:

They buff the glass tubes

Derivation:

buff; buffer (an implement consisting of soft material mounted on a block; used for polishing (as in manicuring))

buffer (a power tool used to buff surfaces)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Strike, beat repeatedly

Example:

The wind buffeted him

Synonyms:

buff; buffet

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "buff" is one way to...):

hit (deal a blow to, either with the hand or with an instrument)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Credits