1
: a garment (such as a uniform) made of buff leather
2
: the state of being nude
sunbathing in the buff
3
a
: a moderate orange yellow
b
: a light to moderate yellow
4
: a device having a soft absorbent surface (as of cloth) by which polishing material is applied
5
[earlier buff an enthusiast about going to fires; perhaps from the buff overcoats worn by volunteer firefighters in New York City about 1820]
: fan, enthusiast
1
: of the color buff
2
or buffed
: having a physique enhanced by bodybuilding exercises
buffed; buffing; buffs
2
: to give a velvety surface to (leather)
Examples of buff in a Sentence
Noun
he's such a film buff that he owns over 3,000 movies
protected by a fully enclosed backyard, the couple would frequently sunbathe in the buff
Adjective
He's at the gym every day trying to get buff.
the buff body of an athlete
Verb
The floors are waxed and buffed every year.
She is going to the salon to get her nails buffed.
Recent Examples on the Web
PC Magazine, 16 July 2025
Aboard the Kontiki Wayra, passengers can marvel at bioluminescent plankton during an eight-day foray along the wildlife-rich Osa Peninsula, while entomology and herpetology buffs can discover a mind-boggling array of species during a cruise on the Zafiro.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
But the magic of Christmas is found in the unexplained, not in watching a buff Santa rappelling into all the world’s chimneys.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
Finally, to ensure the doors are working smoothly, Sibley suggests applying high-quality car wax to the aluminum, buffing off the wax with a microfiber towel, and then finishing with a light coat of WD40 or Silicone spray on the rollers.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buff
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Noun
Some skills and buffs just didn't seem worthwhile, like running slightly faster in snow or taking slightly less damage from certain enemies.
—PC Magazine, 16 July 2025
Aboard the Kontiki Wayra, passengers can marvel at bioluminescent plankton during an eight-day foray along the wildlife-rich Osa Peninsula, while entomology and herpetology buffs can discover a mind-boggling array of species during a cruise on the Zafiro.
—Jared Ranahan, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025
Adjective
The Chanel Le Vernis Ballerina shade is an elevated take on a basic buff manicure — providing a glossy sheen that straddles the line between sophisticated and lighthearted.
—Stacia Datskovska, WWD, 11 Dec. 2024
But the magic of Christmas is found in the unexplained, not in watching a buff Santa rappelling into all the world’s chimneys.
—Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 13 Nov. 2024
Verb
Her makeup was equally as playful, consisting of inky eyeliner buffed on her eyelids and drawn in her waterline, baby pink blush on her cheekbones, thin brows and a brown-mauve lip shade.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
Finally, to ensure the doors are working smoothly, Sibley suggests applying high-quality car wax to the aluminum, buffing off the wax with a microfiber towel, and then finishing with a light coat of WD40 or Silicone spray on the rollers.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for buff
Cite this Entry
“Buff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/buff. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
buff
1 of 3 noun1
: an orange yellow
2
: a device with a soft absorbent surface (as of cloth) for applying polishing material
3
: fan entry 3, enthusiast
a tennis buff
buff
2 of 3 adjective
: of the color buff
buff
3 of 3 verb
: to polish with or as if with a buff
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