noun
gaff
gaf
Gaff (noun) means a pole with a large hook on the end, used to pull large fish out of the water. Example: “The angler used a gaff to land the tuna.”
noun
1
A pole with a large hook on the end, used to pull large fish out of the water.
"The angler used a gaff to land the tuna."
2
A minor social mistake; a blunder (a variant spelling of "gaffe").
"He made a gaff by using her ex's name at dinner."
3
British slang: a person's home.
"Come round to my gaff after the game."
verb
1
To hook and pull in a fish using a gaff.
"He gaffed the salmon as it neared the boat."
How to use gaff
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMost often a fishing hook-on-a-pole, though in British slang it also means someone's house.
Common mistake
"Gaffe" (a social blunder) is the more standard spelling for that meaning; "gaff" is a variant.
UK vs US
"Gaff" meaning "home" is British slang and rarely used in American English.
Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like gaff.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- gaffs
- Third person singular
- gaffs
- Past tense
- gaffed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The angler used a _____ to land the tuna.
Etymology
From Old French gaffe, from Old Occitan gaf ("hook").
Rhymes for gaff
See all rhymes for gaff →Frequently asked questions
What does “gaff” mean?
The word “gaff” means a pole with a large hook on the end, used to pull large fish out of the water. In plain terms, most often a fishing hook-on-a-pole, though in British slang it also means someone's house.
How do you pronounce “gaff”?
“Gaff” is pronounced gaf (/ɡæf/ in IPA).
How do you use “gaff” in a sentence?
Here is “gaff” used in a sentence: “The angler used a gaff to land the tuna.”
What part of speech is “gaff”?
Depending on how it is used, “gaff” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gaff” come from?
The word “gaff” comes from Old French. From Old French gaffe, from Old Occitan gaf ("hook").
How many meanings does “gaff” have?
“Gaff” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a pole with a large hook on the end, used to pull large fish out of the water.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include gaff:
