Gruff

/ɡrʌf/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A gruff manner or voice.

Her gruff was off-putting at first, but I soon realized she was quite kind.

adjective

Unfriendly or unsociable in demeanor.

Despite his gruff appearance, he had a heart of gold.

Rough or harsh in texture.

The gruff fabric of the jacket was not meant for sensitive skin.

Deep and rough in sound or voice; brusque or stern in manner.

His gruff voice made it clear that he was not in the mood for small talk.

Middle English, possibly from the word 'gruf', meaning rough.

gruff exterior, soft interior

A phrase describing someone who appears tough but is actually kind-hearted.

gruff growl

A low, rough sound made when speaking or expressing displeasure.

brusque

Abrupt or offhand in speech or manner.

stern

Serious and unrelenting, especially in the assertion of authority and exercising of discipline.

blunt

Saying what one thinks without concern for the feelings of others.

To be straightforward or frank.

He was gruff about his feelings but meant well.

To deal with something in a no-nonsense manner.

She took a gruff approach to getting the project done.