bluff
(redirected from bluffest)Also found in: Thesaurus, Idioms, Encyclopedia.
bluff 1
(blŭf)v. bluffed, bluff·ing, bluffs
v.intr.
1. To engage in a false display of confidence or aggression in order to deceive or intimidate someone: The management debated if there would really be a strike or if the union was bluffing.
2. To make a display of aggression, as by charging or baring the teeth, as a means of intimidating another animal.
3. To try to mislead opponents in a card game by heavy betting on a poor hand or by little or no betting on a good one.
v.tr.
1. To deceive or intimidate (someone) by a false display of confidence or aggression.
2. To try to mislead (opponents) in a card game by heavy betting on a poor hand or by little or no betting on a good one.
3. To start but not carry out (an action) as a means of deceiving or intimidating another: The pitcher bluffed a throw to first base.
n.
Idiom: The act or practice of bluffing.
bluff (one's) way
To deceive someone or accomplish something by making a false display.
[Origin unknown.]
bluff′a·ble adj.
bluff′er n.
bluff 2
(blŭf)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.]
bluff′ly adv.
bluff′ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
bluff
(blʌf)vb
to pretend to be confident about an uncertain issue or to have undisclosed resources, in order to influence or deter (someone)
n
1. deliberate deception intended to create the impression of a stronger position or greater resources than one actually has
2. call someone's bluff to challenge someone to give proof of his claims
[C19: originally US poker-playing term, from Dutch bluffen to boast]
ˈbluffer n
bluff
(blʌf)n
1. (Physical Geography) a steep promontory, bank, or cliff, esp one formed by river erosion on the outside bend of a meander
2. Canadian a clump of trees on the prairie; copse
adj
3. good-naturedly frank and hearty
4. (Physical Geography) (of a bank, cliff, etc) presenting a steep broad face
[C17 (in the sense: nearly perpendicular): perhaps from Middle Dutch blaf broad]
ˈbluffly adv
ˈbluffness n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
bluff1
(blʌf)adj. -er, -est,
n. adj.
1. good-naturedly direct, blunt, or frank; heartily outspoken.
2. presenting a bold and nearly perpendicular front: a bluff, precipitous headland.
n. 3. a cliff, headland, or hill with a broad, steep face.
4. Upper Midwest and Canada. a clump or grove of trees in a generally treeless area.
[1620–30]
bluff′ly, adv.
bluff′ness, n.
bluff2
(blʌf)v.t.
1. to mislead or intimidate by a display of strength, self-confidence, or the like.
2. to achieve by bluffing: to bluff one's way into a job.
3. to deceive (an opponent in poker) by betting heavily on a weak hand.
v.i. 4. to put on a bold or self-confident front in order to mislead.
n. 5. an act or instance of bluffing.
6. a person who bluffs; bluffer.
Idioms: call someone's bluff, to challenge someone to carry out a threat.
[1665–75]
bluff′a•ble, adj.
bluff′er, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
bluff
Past participle: bluffed
Gerund: bluffing
| Imperative |
|---|
| bluff |
| bluff |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  bluff - a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)bank - a long ridge or pile; "a huge bank of earth" |
| 2. | bluff - pretense that your position is stronger than it really is; "his bluff succeeded in getting him accepted" | |
| 3. | bluff - the act of bluffing in poker; deception by a false show of confidence in the strength of your cards | |
| Verb | 1. | bluff - deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand |
| 2. | bluff - frighten someone by pretending to be stronger than one really is | |
| Adj. | 1. | bluff - very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front; "a bluff headland"; "where the bold chalk cliffs of England rise"; "a sheer descent of rock" steep - having a sharp inclination; "the steep attic stairs"; "steep cliffs" |
| 2. | bluff - bluntly direct and outspoken but good-natured; "a bluff but pleasant manner"; "a bluff and rugged natural leader" direct - straightforward in means or manner or behavior or language or action; "a direct question"; "a direct response"; "a direct approach" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
bluff
1noun
verb
bluff
2noun
1. precipice, bank, peak, cliff, ridge, crag, escarpment, promontory, scarp a high bluff over the Congaree River
adjective
1. hearty, open, frank, blunt, sincere, outspoken, honest, downright, cordial, genial, affable, ebullient, jovial, plain-spoken, good-natured, unreserved, back-slapping a man with a bluff exterior
hearty sensitive, diplomatic, delicate, thoughtful, discreet, judicious, tactful
hearty sensitive, diplomatic, delicate, thoughtful, discreet, judicious, tactful
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
bluff
verbThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
TranslationsSelect a language:
Spanish / Español
bluff
1 [blʌf]bluff
2 [blʌf]Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
bluff1
(blaf) adjective rough, hearty and frank. a bluff and friendly manner.directo
bluff2
(blaf) verb to try to deceive by pretending to have something that one does not have. He bluffed his way through the exam without actually knowing anything. engañar a, echarse un farol
nounKernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
bluff
→ fanfarronear , farol , marcarse un farolMultilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009