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

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."

A minor social mistake; a blunder (a variant spelling of "gaffe").

"He made a gaff by using her ex's name at dinner."

British slang: a person's home.

"Come round to my gaff after the game."

verb

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 notes

In 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

gaffe

Word Forms

gaffed past tense, gaffs plural, gaffs plural, Gaffs plural, gaffs singular

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The angler used a _____ to land the tuna.

Etymology

From Old French gaffe, from Old Occitan gaf ("hook").

Origin: Old French

Rhymes for gaff

aff raff staff chaff graff riffraff Falstaff Wagstaff flagstaff

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.