gruff

adjective
UK: /ɡrʌf/
US: /ɡrʌf/

  1. Having a rough or harsh voice or manner.

    1. The old man had a gruff voice, but a kind heart.
    2. Despite his gruff exterior, he was a generous and caring individual.

  2. Rough or stern in manner or appearance.

    1. He gave a gruff nod and walked away.
    2. The sergeant's gruff demeanor intimidated the new recruits during training.

Synonyms

blunt harsh brusque curt rough
gruff noun

  1. A rough or curt manner.

    1. His gruff surprised me a little.
    2. The manager's gruff was off-putting to some of the customers.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "gruff" in English means: Having a rough or harsh voice or manner., Rough or stern in manner or appearance..

The phonetic transcription of "gruff" is /ɡrʌf/ in British English and /ɡrʌf/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "gruff": blunt, harsh, brusque, curt, rough.

Example usage of "gruff": "The old man had a gruff voice, but a kind heart.". More examples on the page.