Gruff

Quick meaning: Gruff is an adjective meaning having a rough, surly, and harsh demeanor and nature.

Meaning

having a rough, surly, and harsh demeanor and nature.

More Meanings

1. hoarse-voiced.
2. To speak gruffly.
3. (British India) Of goods: bulky.
4. Alternative spelling of grough (“gully in a moor”).

Example Sentences

a gruff woman

a gruff voice

They found Uttley's body on the bottom of the gruff.

They roost [...] in peaty gruffs and drainage channels, and on moorland tracks and sheep- walks, […]

Word Forms

• gruffer
• gruffest
• gruffs
• gruffing
• gruffed

Synonyms for gruff

Depending on context, synonyms include hoarse, cacophonous, ill-natured, curmudgeonly, crusty, ill-humored.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include curmudgeonly, ill-natured, ill-humored, cacophonous, husky, hoarse.

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