bluff Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
  2. noun pretense that your position is stronger than it really is
    • his bluff succeeded in getting him accepted
  3. noun the act of bluffing in poker; deception by a false show of confidence in the strength of your cards
    four flush.
  4. verb deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand
    bluff out.
  5. verb frighten someone by pretending to be stronger than one really is
  6. adjective satellite very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front
    sheer; bold.
    • a bluff headland
    • where the bold chalk cliffs of England rise
    • a sheer descent of rock
  7. adjective satellite bluntly direct and outspoken but good-natured
    • a bluff but pleasant manner
    • a bluff and rugged natural leader

WordNet

Bluff adjective
Etymology
Cf. OD. blaf flat, broad, blaffaert one with a broad face, also, a boaster; or G. verblüffen to confuse, LG. bluffen to frighten; to unknown origin.
Definitions
  1. Having a broad, flattened front; as, the bluff bows of a ship. "Bluff visages." Irving.
  2. Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front. "A bluff or bold shore." Falconer.
    Its banks, if not really steep, had a bluff and precipitous aspect. Judd.
  3. Surly; churlish; gruff; rough.
  4. Abrupt; roughly frank; unceremonious; blunt; brusque; as, a bluff answer; a bluff manner of talking; a bluff sea captain. "Bluff King Hal." Sir W. Scott.
    There is indeed a bluff pertinacity which is a proper defense in a moment of surprise. I. Taylor.
Bluff noun
Definitions
  1. A high, steep bank, as by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.
    Beach, bluff, and wave, adieu. Whittier.
  2. An act of bluffing; an expression of self-confidence for the purpose of intimidation; braggadocio; as, that is only bluff, or a bluff.
  3. A game at cards; poker. U.S. Bartlett.
Bluff transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Bluffed present participle & verbal noun Bluffing
Definitions
  1. (Poker) To deter (an opponent) from taking the risk of betting on his hand of cards, as the bluffer does by betting heavily on his own hand although it may be of less value. U. S.
  2. To frighten or deter from accomplishing a purpose by making a show of confidence in one's strength or resources; as, he bluffed me off. Colloq.
Bluff intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To act as in the game of bluff.

Webster 1913