buff 1 of 2

noun

ˈbəf How to pronounce buff (audio)
Definition of buffnext
1
as in lover
a person with a strong and habitual liking for something he's such a film buff that he owns over 3,000 movies

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in nude
the state of having no clothes on one's body protected by a fully enclosed backyard, the couple would frequently sunbathe in the buff

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buff

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to rub
to make smooth by friction she learned to buff semiprecious stones in order to make her own jewelry

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to polish
to make smooth or glossy usually by repeatedly applying surface pressure the janitor buffed the lobby floor until it shone

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of buff
Noun
The Phil’s hookup with Dave Grohl and company Saturday night was the middle act in a three-night local finale for Dudamel — a delectable dip into what old-school symphony buffs would once have considered low culture. — Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Aug. 2026 Wine buffs can opt for the nearby cellar, equipped with a tasting table and plenty of spce for showing off your bottle collection. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
Her nails were bare and buffed, and makeup was light with a brown smoky eye and nude lip. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 2 Aug. 2026 Most people use the miracle sponge for buffing out wall or floor scuffs, but Macqueen’s recommendation is an eye-opener. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for buff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buff
  1. lover
  2. nude
  3. rub
  4. polish
  5. sucker
  6. nudity
  7. sand
  8. smooth
Noun
  • Milwaukee Public Library research and policy coordinator Joey McMahon added the library has been a staple for Milwaukee artists and music lovers for a long time.
    — Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The story follows Jaime, a former lover turned butler to Isabel, a wealthy Argentine woman.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of lover
Noun
  • Her biggest challenges seemed to be getting the rest of the NBA to take her seriously after previously partying with her father’s girlfriends and posing nude for Playboy magazine.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Very deep shades can make lips look smaller, and ultrapale nudes may wash you out.
    — Jenny Berg, Glamour, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of nude
Verb
  • If the bracelet and watch rub against each other, scratches can occur very quickly.
    — Larissa Ratschkowski, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Rubbing Alcohol Head to the drug store for a bottle of 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol to clean windows.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of rub
Verb
  • Don’t polish the life out of it before anyone gets to see it.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Some jobs that previously relied on hand craftsmanship but can now be automated made the top 10, including patternmakers and grinding and polishing workers.
    — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of polish
Noun
  • In 2019, when Altamirano was mayor pro tem, a council member accused Altamirano of sucker-punching him.
    — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Often, a tree grows suckers in response to stress from pests, diseases, or damage, or to difficult conditions such as inadequate root space or insufficient water.
    — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of sucker
Noun
  • Yes, now The Sun is publishing nudity and interfering with police investigations and doing all sorts of nefarious things, but circulation is going through the roof.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Brands today need nuance to be titillating—nudity and provocation are too available.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of nudity
Verb
  • For more than five decades, the brand has grown without sanding down the personality that made its original spaces memorable.
    — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Clean and lightly sand the surface, then apply primer and thin, even coats of durable paint.
    — Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • Its stretchy, wireless design has extra coverage and smoothing side panels that create a cleaner silhouette without squeezing.
    — Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026
  • The formula includes lactic acid, a chemical exfoliator that breaks down dead skin, for a double dose of skin-smoothing power.
    — Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of smooth

Phrases Containing buff

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buds
buff
buffalo
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Cite this Entry

“Buff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buff. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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