Definition of Bluff

1. Adjective. Very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front. "A sheer descent of rock"

Exact synonyms: Bold, Sheer
Similar to: Steep

2. Verb. Deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand.
Exact synonyms: Bluff Out
Category relationships: Card Game, Cards
Generic synonyms: Go, Move
Derivative terms: Bluffer

3. Noun. A high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion).
Generic synonyms: Bank

4. Adjective. Bluntly direct and outspoken but good-natured. "A bluff and rugged natural leader"
Similar to: Direct
Derivative terms: Bluffness

5. Verb. Frighten someone by pretending to be stronger than one really is. "Sam cannot bluff Sue "
Generic synonyms: Affright, Fright, Frighten, Scare
Derivative terms: Bluffer

6. Noun. Pretense that your position is stronger than it really is. ; "His bluff succeeded in getting him accepted"
Generic synonyms: Dissembling, Feigning, Pretence, Pretense

7. Noun. The act of bluffing in poker; deception by a false show of confidence in the strength of your cards.
Exact synonyms: Four Flush
Generic synonyms: Deceit, Deception, Dissembling, Dissimulation

Definition of Bluff

1. a. Having a broad, flattened front; as, the bluff bows of a ship.

2. n. A high, steep bank, as by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.

3. v. t. 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.

4. v. i. To act as in the game of bluff.

Definition of Bluff

1. Noun. An act of bluffing; an expression of self-confidence for the purpose of intimidation; braggadocio; as, that is only '''bluff''', or a '''bluff'''. ¹

2. Noun. (poker) An attempt to represent yourself as holding a stronger hand than you do. ¹

3. Verb. To make a '''bluff'''. ¹

4. Verb. To scare with a false show of strength. ¹

5. Noun. A high, steep bank, as by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face. ¹

6. Noun. (Canadian Prairies) A small wood or stand of trees, typically poplar or willow. ¹

7. Adjective. Having a broad, flattened front; as, the '''bluff''' bows of a ship. ¹

8. Adjective. Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front. ¹

9. Adjective. Surly; churlish; gruff; rough. ¹

10. Adjective. Abrupt; roughly frank; unceremonious; blunt; brusque; as, a '''bluff''' answer; a '''bluff''' manner of talking; a '''bluff''' sea captain. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Bluff

1. having a broad front [adj BLUFFER, BLUFFEST] : BLUFFLY [adv] / to mislead [v -ED, -ING, -S] - See also: mislead

Lexicographical Neighbors of Bluff

blueward
bluewards
bluewash
bluewashed
bluewashes
bluewashing
bluewater
blueweed
blueweeds
bluewing
bluewings
bluewood
bluewoods
bluey
blueys
bluff (current term)
bluff-bowed
bluff-headed
bluff catcher
bluff catchers
bluff out
bluffable
bluffed
bluffer
bluffers
bluffest
bluffing
bluffingly
blufflike
bluffly

Literary usage of Bluff

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Science by American Association for the Advancement of Science (1898)
"The bluff is five or six miles in length, and scattered along nearly its ... The bluff has been caused by a fault which brought the Dakota sandstone to the ..."

2. The Annals of Tennessee to the End of the Eighteenth Century: Comprising Its by James Gettys McGready Ramsey (1853)
"Only one woman, Mrs. Jones, escaped ; Henry Ramsey, a bold and intrepid man, who had gone from the bluff, took her off, and brought her in safety to the ..."

3. Following the Equator: A Journey Around the World by Mark Twain (1897)
"VE spent part of an afternoon and a night at sea, and reached bluff, in New Zealand ... bluff is at the bottom of the middle island, and is away down south, ..."

4. The Mining Magazine (1857)
"The conglomerate belt and lode which shows at the western end of the bluff on the Nebraska location has not been disclosed upon this. ..."

5. Elementary Physical Geography by William Morris Davis (1902)
"Severe storms cut away the base of the bluff, sometimes undermining the houses ... Diagram of a Lowland Coast with bluff and Sand Reef Draw an outline map ..."

6. Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant by Ulysses Simpson Grant (1885)
"JOHNSTON'S MOVEMENTS—FORTIFICATIONS AT HAINES' bluff — EXPLOSION OF THE ... Haines' bluff had been strongly fortified on the land side, ..."

7. The Imperial Gazetteer of India by Sir William Wilson Hunter (1885)
"On the summit of this bluff stands the citadel. ... At this point, where the crest of the ridge meets the base of the bluff, a narrow and steep ravine ..."

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