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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
History buffs should make time for the Celina Area Heritage Association Visitors Center and Museum, where photographs, artifacts, and interactive exhibits highlight more than 150 years of the city’s history. — Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 19 July 2026 Today, coastal redwood forests are preserved, of course, but in some places, trains continue to move on down the track, helping nature and train buffs enjoy these scenic areas via locomotive. — Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2026
Verb
Spray your microfiber cloth with glass cleaner and gently buff the surface for a streak-free finish. — Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 27 June 2026 Lightly buff the natural nail so the surface holds glue. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 26 June 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
  • For dessert, there’s a delicious coconut cake or, for the chocolate lovers, a fancy sort of s’mores cake.
    — Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
  • That Lane, an animal lover who excels at cracking open crazy stories with humor, heart, and a litany of perspectives, would follow Flaco is no surprise.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 30 July 2026
Definition of lover
Noun
  • However, the formula comes in a variety of reds, berries and nudes that flatter a wide range of complexions.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
  • At no time did the school see the images, and the school maintains that all activity connected to the AI nudes happened off-campus.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026
Definition of nude
Verb
  • Use tweezers or a butter knife to rub over the seed head to scrape off any seeds that won’t fall off on their own.
    — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Coat the exterior of the pork with 2 teaspoons salt and 2 teaspoons pumpkin spice, rubbing it into the meat.
    — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of rub
Verb
  • No matter what’s on your summer calendar, strappy sandals instantly polish any outfit.
    — Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 26 July 2026
  • For deeper etching, a polishing compound and pad may restore the finish.
    — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 25 July 2026
Definition of polish
Noun
  • The Maryland Terrapins rolled these suckers out in the early 2010s and subsequently burned the retinas of college football fans all over the country.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Locate the Suckers Before you get started, find the plant’s main stems, which will have many secondary shoots or leaves, called suckers, growing off of them.
    — Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 18 July 2026
Definition of sucker
Noun
  • And those rules involve nudity and drinking, along with pets, cooking and spending the night.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
  • Viewers complained when the station canceled a PBS program on rock music that contained brief nudity.
    — Bill Bowden, Arkansas Online, 25 July 2026
Definition of nudity
Verb
  • For any leader feeling pressure to sand down their edges right now, that is not soft advice.
    — Laurel Donnellan, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • The rooms All Volcanoes lodges are hand-built and use no machinery (apart from sanding) by their team of builders, carpenters, welders, and fundi/artisans, from the papyrus roof to the bedside lamps.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026
Definition of sand
Verb
  • Livermore residents have had a rocky relationship with the sidewalks around town for years, and now city leaders are hoping a new project will smooth things over.
    — Katie Nielsen, CBS News, 30 July 2026
  • Higher ed leaders are looking for more places to smooth the path—or find new ways that work better for students.
    — Jamie Merisotis, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Definition of smooth

Phrases Containing buff

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buds
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buffalo
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Cite this Entry

“Buff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buff. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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