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gruffest

 - 3 dictionary results

gruff

  [gruhf]
Use gruffest in a Sentence
–adjective, -er, -est.
1. low and harsh; hoarse: a gruff voice.
2. rough, brusque, or surly: a gruff manner.
Origin:
1525–35; < MD grof coarse; c. G grob

Related forms:
gruffish, adjective
gruffly, adverb
gruffness, noun

Synonyms:
2. curt.

Antonyms:
2. courteous.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To gruffest
gruff   (grŭf)   
adj.   gruff·er, gruff·est

  1. Brusque or stern in manner or appearance: a gruff reply.

  2. Hoarse; harsh: a gruff voice.


[Dutch grof, from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German.]
gruff'ly adv., gruff'ness n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean abrupt and sometimes discourteous in manner or speech. Gruff implies roughness or surliness but does not necessarily suggest rudeness: a gruff reply.
Brusque emphasizes rude abruptness: a brusque manner.
Blunt stresses utter frankness and usually a disconcerting directness: a blunt refusal.
Bluff refers to unpolished, unceremonious manner but usually implies hearty good nature: a bluff and courageous sailor.
Curt denotes usually rude briefness and abruptness of speech: a curt letter of rejection.
Crusty suggests a rough and forbidding manner that sometimes conceals benevolence of spirit: a crusty old gentlemen who feeds stray cats.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

gruff 
1533, from M.Du. or M.L.G. grof "coarse (in quality), thick, large" (cognate with O.E. hreof, O.N. hrjufr "rough, scabby"). Sense of "rough, surly" first recorded c.1690.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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