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bluff

bluff

1 5.9
Direct and friendly in a way that can seem abrupt
  • adjective
  • /blʌf/
: 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

29 3.7

Not willing to show feelings or talk much

9 4.0

Being careful and polite when speaking to avoid hurting people

Idioms

28 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
1 5.9
reserved
29 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.