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bluff

bluff

5.9
Direct and friendly in a way that can seem abrupt
  • adjective
  • /blʌf/
translation icon : franco
  • Her bluff manner made her easy to talk to, even if she sometimes seemed a bit abrupt.

Examples

  • He has a very bluff manner that puts people at ease.

  • Despite his bluff exterior, he was sensitive to the feelings of others.

  • He greeted us with a bluff laugh and a firm handshake.

  • Her bluff attitude sometimes surprises others.

  • Despite his bluff demeanor, he always showed kindness to others.

  • Her bluff personality made her a favorite among her friends.

  • He was known for his bluff way of speaking that put everyone at ease.

Antonyms

11 4.0

Being careful and polite when speaking to avoid hurting people

3.7

Not willing to show feelings or talk much

Idioms

2 6.3

Challenge someone to prove they are serious when you think they are not

Compounds

A game where a blindfolded player tries to catch and guess who touched them

How Direct

brusque
7 7.7
blunt
100 3.8
bluff
5.9
reserved
3.7

Surface Forms

bluff positive

Etymology

Bluff The adjective bluff comes from an old sense of 'blunt' or direct, so think of the familiar word blunt. That's why a bluff person speaks in a rough, simple way but is often friendly underneath.