chuff
chuff Lexical Profile
chuff Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A regular, sharp puffing sound, such as that made by a steam locomotive or an internal combustion engine.
"We heard the rhythmic chuff of the vintage steam train long before it rounded the bend."
A friendly, non-threatening vocalization made by certain large cats, particularly tigers, by expelling air through the nostrils and mouth.
"The tigress greeted her cubs with a soft, reassuring chuff as she entered the den."
British A coarse, boorish, or avaricious person; a rustic or churl.
"In the Tudor comedy, the wealthy merchant is portrayed as a greedy old chuff who hoards every coin."
• verb
To move with or emit a regular puffing or chugging sound (especially of a steam engine or boat).
"The old locomotive began to chuff slowly out of the station, trailing a plume of white steam."
British To make someone feel very pleased, proud, or delighted (usually used in the passive voice).
"She was thoroughly chuffed by the glowing reviews of her debut novel."
• adjective
British Gruff, surly, or ill-tempered; alternately, in dialectal use, pleased or proud.
"The old groundskeeper had a chuff manner with strangers, though his neighbors knew him to be kind."
• Rhymes for chuff
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The sound-related noun and verb senses are of imitative origin, mimicking the rhythmic puffing of a steam engine. The older dialectal senses referring to a coarse person or a plump cheek date to Middle English, likely of expressive or dialectal origin.