noun

cuff

kuhf

noun

The end part of a sleeve or pant leg, often folded or fastened around the wrist or ankle.

"He rolled up his shirt cuffs before starting the repair."

Informal word for a handcuff.

"The officer reached for his cuffs."

verb

To put handcuffs on someone.

"The suspect was cuffed and led to the patrol car."

Slang: to become exclusively involved in a romantic relationship, especially in colder months.

"They started cuffing right before winter."

How to Use Cuff

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe end of a sleeve or pant leg, a handcuff, or slang for locking down a relationship.

Common pairings

shirt cuff get cuffed cuffing season

Word Forms

cuffed past tense, cuffed past tense, cuffed past tense, cuffs plural, cuffs plural, cuffs plural, cuffs plural, Cuffs plural, cuffs singular, cuffs singular, cuffs singular

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He rolled up his shirt _____ before starting the repair.

Etymology

From Middle English cuffe/coffe, meaning "glove" or "mitten," of unclear earlier origin.

Rhymes for cuff

buff duff muff ruff tuff puff huff guff stuff bluff gruff fluff

See all rhymes for cuff →