bluff

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) An act of bluffing; a false expression of the strength of one’s position in order to intimidate or deceive; braggadocio.
2. (countable, uncountable) An attempt to represent oneself as holding a stronger hand than one actually does.
3. (US, dated, uncountable) The card game poker.
4. (countable) One who bluffs; a bluffer.
5. (countable, dated, slang, uncountable) Pretense, excuse.

Verb

1. To make a bluff; to give the impression that one’s hand is stronger than it is.
2. To frighten, deter, or deceive with a false show of strength or confidence; to give a false impression of strength or temerity in order to intimidate or gain some advantage.
3. To perform or achieve by bluffing.
4. (Manglish, Singlish) To give false information intentionally, to lie (to someone), to deceive; to put on an act.

Adj

1. Having a broad, flattened front.
2. Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front.
3. Surly; churlish; gruff; rough.
4. Roughly frank and hearty in one's manners.

Verb

To fluff, puff or swell up.

Synonyms

cliff

deceive

trick

precipice

steep

bluster

hoax

cheat

deception

bold

swindle

headland

dupe

blunt

show off

brusque

bluff out

sheer

bamboozle

hoodwink

four flush

abrupt

deceiver

bilk

threaten

subterfuge

deceit

swagger

curt

crag

scarp

snow

❄️

outspoken

perpendicular

fraud

escarpment

intimidate

con

terrorize

rock

🪨

chisel

cavern

cave

blocky

burly

blind

edge

broad

double-cross

brink

Translations

bluff

Bluff

bluffer

falaise

farol

🏮

μπλόφα

ακτή

blöf

bluffen

μπλοφάρω

blefe

inganno

Steilküste

täuschen

Pronounced as (IPA)

/blʌf/

Etymology

Cognate with German: verblüffen

Cognate with Middle Low German: blaff

In summary

Probably from Dutch bluffen (“to brag”), from Middle Dutch bluffen (“to make something swell; to bluff”); or from the Dutch noun bluf (“bragging”). Related to German verblüffen (“to stump, perplex”).