1
: something (such as a part of a sleeve or glove) encircling the wrist
2
: the turned-back hem of a trouser leg
3
a
: handcuff
—usually used in plural
b
: a usually wide metal band worn as a bracelet
4
: an inflatable band that is wrapped around an extremity to control the flow of blood through the part when recording blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer
Synonyms
Noun (1)
- bang
- bash
- bat
- beat
- belt
- biff
- blow
- bop
- box
- buffet
- bust
- chop
- clap
- clip
- clout
- crack
- dab
- douse [British]
- fillip
- hack
- haymaker
- hit
- hook
- knock
- larrup [dialect]
- lash
- lick
- pelt
- pick
- plump
- poke
- pound
- punch
- rap
- slam
- slap
- slug
- smack
- smash
- sock
- spank
- stinger
- stripe
- stroke
- swat
- swipe
- switch
- thud
- thump
- thwack
- wallop
- welt
- whack
- wham
- whop
- whap
Noun (2)
Examples of cuff in a Sentence
Noun (1)
the mama cat would give her kittens a cuff with a paw whenever they played too rough
Noun (2)
the policeman snapped the cuffs on and led the prisoner away to the car
Recent Examples on the Web
Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 9 May 2024
The nurse noted that Miller was moving continuously but didn’t write about the cuff.
—Nichole Manna, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2024
Who else could make such pinpoint beef-starting seem so off the cuff?
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 7 May 2024
Anderson looked chic in a slinky, silver chain link party skirt with an oversize white boyfriend-style button-down shirt featuring an asymmetrical collar and extra large cuffs.
—Brittany Talarico, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024
Tailors in Chicago, California, and New York spun out double-breasted suits, along with tailcoats with cuffs but without pockets, in bright whites, blues, and salmons.
—Larry Tye, Fortune, 4 May 2024
Even after putting him in flex cuffs, MacDonald remained non-compliant.
—Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 2 May 2024
MacDonald was eventually restrained with flex cuffs, and the flight, with 160 people on board, was diverted to Bangor, Maine.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 1 May 2024
For contrast, the dress also featured white cuffs on the sleeves.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024
Sara Netzley, EW.com, 23 Apr. 2024
Officer Henry cuffs one of his wrists, while Officer Fullerton untwists Mr. Feliciano from the sweatshirts at 11:49 p.m.
—Ainara Tiefenthäler, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
The 17-year-old and 12-year-old have their hands cuffed behind their backs.
—USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024
Rih also had on a pair of gold circle studs and diamond ear cuff with her blonde hair swept in an up-do which assisted with pulling off her effortless look.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
Johnson appeared in a New York courtroom Tuesday wearing a tan sweatsuit with the shirt inside-out and his hands cuffed behind his back.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 2 Apr. 2024
Designed with a deep V-neck, pleated front, and cuffed sleeves that can be rolled up or down, this versatile blouse can be worn casually with jeans or dressed up with a pair of trousers.
—Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024
Arrested in Miami Rocha, who was cuffed and wearing a khaki detention uniform, is the former U.S. ambassador to Bolivia.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024
The Oscar winner opted for a three-piece suit, wearing a plunging gray vest, sans shirt, which showed off her décolleté; cuffed cigarette pants; and a blazer.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2024
Noun
Try styling a pair of silver bangles or arm cuffs with a basic tank top, jeans, and ballet flats to elevate the outfit.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 9 May 2024
The nurse noted that Miller was moving continuously but didn’t write about the cuff.
—Nichole Manna, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 May 2024
Who else could make such pinpoint beef-starting seem so off the cuff?
—Jason Zinoman, New York Times, 7 May 2024
Anderson looked chic in a slinky, silver chain link party skirt with an oversize white boyfriend-style button-down shirt featuring an asymmetrical collar and extra large cuffs.
—Brittany Talarico, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024
Tailors in Chicago, California, and New York spun out double-breasted suits, along with tailcoats with cuffs but without pockets, in bright whites, blues, and salmons.
—Larry Tye, Fortune, 4 May 2024
Even after putting him in flex cuffs, MacDonald remained non-compliant.
—Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 2 May 2024
MacDonald was eventually restrained with flex cuffs, and the flight, with 160 people on board, was diverted to Bangor, Maine.
—Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 1 May 2024
For contrast, the dress also featured white cuffs on the sleeves.
—Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 23 Apr. 2024
Verb
When Savina comes to, he’s cuffed to the bed in an actual hospital.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 23 Apr. 2024
Officer Henry cuffs one of his wrists, while Officer Fullerton untwists Mr. Feliciano from the sweatshirts at 11:49 p.m.
—Ainara Tiefenthäler, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2024
The 17-year-old and 12-year-old have their hands cuffed behind their backs.
—USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024
Rih also had on a pair of gold circle studs and diamond ear cuff with her blonde hair swept in an up-do which assisted with pulling off her effortless look.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024
Johnson appeared in a New York courtroom Tuesday wearing a tan sweatsuit with the shirt inside-out and his hands cuffed behind his back.
—Michael Ruiz, Fox News, 2 Apr. 2024
Designed with a deep V-neck, pleated front, and cuffed sleeves that can be rolled up or down, this versatile blouse can be worn casually with jeans or dressed up with a pair of trousers.
—Amy Schulman, Peoplemag, 30 Mar. 2024
Arrested in Miami Rocha, who was cuffed and wearing a khaki detention uniform, is the former U.S. ambassador to Bolivia.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024
The Oscar winner opted for a three-piece suit, wearing a plunging gray vest, sans shirt, which showed off her décolleté; cuffed cigarette pants; and a blazer.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 27 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cuff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cuff
Cite this Entry
“Cuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cuff. Accessed 13 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
cuff
1 of 3 noun1
: a part of a sleeve or glove that goes around the wrist
2
: the turned-back hem of a trouser leg
3
: a band that is capable of being inflated and is wrapped around an arm or leg to control the flow of blood through the part when measuring blood pressure
cuff
2 of 3 verb
: to strike with or as if with the palm of the hand
cuff
3 of 3 noun
: a blow with the hand especially when open : slap
Medical Definition
cuff
noun1
: an inflatable band that is wrapped around an extremity to control the flow of blood through the part when recording blood pressure with a sphygmomanometer
2
: an anatomical structure shaped like a cuff
especially
: rotator cuff
repair of complete shoulder cuff avulsion —Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology
Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share