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to buff

to buff

17 4.4
To polish something by rubbing until it is smooth or shiny
  • verb
  • /bʌf/
translation icon : pulir
  • To make the furniture shine, you should buff it with a soft cloth.
  • buff nails
  • buff shoes
  • wax and buff

We're just going to buff this on the face.

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Examples

  • I think I got something in the car that will buff that up.

  • Oh, you want me to buff it up for you?

  • Then here we're going to buff this in.

  • And we're just going to buff that into her skin.

  • We're just going to buff this on the face.

  • Then just kind of buff it out, buff it out.

  • And I'm going to buff this onto the face.

  • Just look up for me and then just buff that in underneath.

  • I'm going to go ahead and buff that in.

  • And then blend and buff that into my skin.

Synonyms

to shine
vsto buff
64 1.0

To make something smooth and bright by rubbing it

is the practical rubbing action to smooth or produce a bright surface
to smooth
vsto buff
54 1.1

To make a surface even by rubbing or pressing

emphasizes rubbing to produce smoothness or a bright finish rather than pressing
to polish
vsto buff
46 1.1

To make something smooth and shiny by rubbing it

focuses on the same rubbing action but in everyday use
to slick
vsto buff
18 5.0

To make something smooth and shiny by rubbing or adding oil

involves rubbing to smooth or give a bright surface rather than mainly applying substance
to burnish
vsto buff
11 7.1

To make a surface smooth and shiny by rubbing

is the general rubbing action to make surfaces smooth or shiny
to gloss
vsto buff
1 4.0

To make a surface smooth and shiny by rubbing or polishing

is the broader rubbing process rather than the finished surface look
to luster
vsto buff
  • US
1 5.2

To make a surface shiny or glossy

describes the active rubbing method that creates that glossy look
to slick down
vsto buff
1 5.8

To make a surface such as hair smooth and shiny by using a product or pushing it flat

is the general rubbing method to smooth or add a bright finish, not only hair
to Simonize
vsto buff
  • US
1 9.9

To polish a car or bike with wax to make it shiny and protect it

is the simple rubbing method to smooth or give surfaces a reflective finish generally
to furbish
vsto buff
  • Archaic
1 9.2

To make something shiny by rubbing

is the simple act of rubbing to smooth or shine surfaces
to sleek
vsto buff
1 4.3

To make something smooth and shiny by brushing or pressing

is about rubbing to achieve smoothness or a bright finish rather than grooming
to glass
vsto buff
1 8.1

To give a smooth shiny surface by adding a glossy coat

is the rubbing action to smooth or add a bright finish without requiring a coating
to smoothen
vsto buff
4.3

To make a surface flat and even by rubbing or polishing

is the explicit act of rubbing to produce immediate smoothness or shine
to sleek down
vsto buff
5.8

To make hair smooth and shiny by pressing it or using a little gel

is about rubbing broadly to smooth or make surfaces reflective, not only applying substances
to slicker
vsto buff
5.1

To make something smooth and shiny by rubbing or polishing

is the common rubbing action that creates smoothness or a bright finish

Antonyms

33 3.4

Cause something to become less sharp, strong or bright

2 4.2

To make a surface not smooth so it feels bumpy

Idioms

6 9.3

Not wearing any clothes

1 9.1

Not wearing any clothes

Phrasal Verbs

to get buff
  • Informal
1 6.1

To build strong muscles and become more fit by exercising

to buff up
  • Informal
1 5.8

To make something better in how it works or how it looks

to get buff
  • Jargon
7.5

To gain a short boost to a character's skills in a game

Compounds

1 5.7

A pale yellow-brown color like light leather

A children's game where a blindfolded player tries to catch and name other players

A light brown color with a little yellow

How Shiny

to shine
428 1.0
to buff
17 4.4
to rub
600 1.0
to wipe
531 1.0

Surface Forms

buff infinitive
buffed past
buffed past participle
buffing present participle
buffs third person singular

Etymology

Buff (verb) meaning 'to polish' comes from using a piece of buff leather to rub a surface until it shone. So to buff something is to rub it smooth and bright.