duff

1
[ duhf ]
See synonyms for duff on Thesaurus.com
nounSlang.
  1. the buttocks or rump: If you don't like the way things are, get off your duff and do something about it!

Origin of duff

1
First recorded in 1885–90; expressive word, perhaps akin to doup

Words Nearby duff

Other definitions for duff (2 of 4)

duff2
[ duhf ]

noun
  1. a stiff flour pudding, boiled or steamed and often flavored with currants, citron, and spices.

Origin of duff

2
First recorded in 1830–40; dialectal variant (Scots, North England) of dough

Other definitions for duff (3 of 4)

duff3
[ duhf ]

verb (used with object)Slang.
  1. to give a deliberately deceptive appearance to; misrepresent; fake.

  2. British. (in golf) to misplay (a golf ball), especially to misjudge one's swing so that the club strikes the ground behind the ball before hitting it.

  1. Australian.

    • to steal (cattle).

    • (formerly) to alter the brand on (stolen cattle).

  2. to cheat someone.

Origin of duff

3
First recorded in 1830–40; back formation from duffer, in the slang senses “something inferior or counterfeit” or “a peddler of inferior goods”

Other definitions for duff (4 of 4)

duff4
[ duhf ]

noun
  1. organic matter in various stages of decomposition on the floor of the forest.

  2. fine, dry coal, especially anthracite.

Origin of duff

4
First recorded in 1835–45; originally Scots dialect; perhaps metaphorical use of duff2, by association with Scots dowf “decayed, rotten,” deaf “(of soil) unproductive, springy to the tread”; see dowf

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use duff in a sentence

  • That crack down in the back lane at Edmonton, Blathers, said Mr. duff, assisting his colleagues memory.

  • Father duff couldn't have stumbled on a more unhappy example for himself.

    My New Curate | P.A. Sheehan
  • "I can learn, I reckon," said Ralph so heartily that Mr. duff took a second look at the boy, then smiled to himself.

    Ralph Granger's Fortunes | William Perry Brown
  • Ralph walked back to where Mr. duff was standing at the binnacle, conning the ship.

    Ralph Granger's Fortunes | William Perry Brown
  • At this Mr. duff laughed outright, and the sailors nudged each other as if highly tickled.

    Ralph Granger's Fortunes | William Perry Brown

British Dictionary definitions for duff (1 of 3)

duff1

/ (dʌf) /


noun
  1. a thick flour pudding, often flavoured with currants, citron, etc, and boiled in a cloth bag: plum duff

  2. up the duff slang pregnant

Origin of duff

1
C19: Northern English variant of dough

British Dictionary definitions for duff (2 of 3)

duff2

/ (dʌf) /


verb(tr)
  1. slang to change the appearance of or give a false appearance to (old or stolen goods); fake

  2. Australian slang to steal (cattle), altering the brand

  1. Also: sclaff golf informal to bungle (a shot) by hitting the ground behind the ball

adjective
  1. British informal bad or useless, as by not working out or operating correctly; dud: a duff idea; a duff engine

Origin of duff

2
C19: probably back formation from duffer

British Dictionary definitions for duff (3 of 3)

duff3

/ (dʌf) /


noun
  1. slang the rump or buttocks

Origin of duff

3
C20: special use of duff 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012