n. A steep headland, promontory, riverbank, or cliff. adj. bluff·er, bluff·est 1. Having or showing a rough and blunt but not unkind manner: "the great big bluff guests who told bawdy jokes and got up early to watch the sun rise" (Erin McGraw). 2. Having a broad, steep front: the boat's bluff bow. [Probably from obsolete Dutch blaf or Middle Low German blaff, broad.] bluffly adv. bluffness n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.