# buff

/ˈbəf/ (US) · /bˈʌf/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/buff
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. an enthusiast

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

someone who is very interested in a particular subject and knows a lot about it.

For teachers: an enthusiastic and knowledgeable admirer or aficionado of a specific subject.

- My uncle is a real history buff who can name every king of England.
- As a dedicated film buff, she spent her weekends scouring independent cinemas for rare 35mm prints of mid-century noir.

### 3. gaming enhancement

noun · CEFR B2 · Slang

a change in a game that makes a character or weapon stronger.

For teachers: an adjustment to game mechanics that increases the power or effectiveness of a specific element.

- The latest game update gave the archer a significant buff to its speed.
- Players complained that the recent buff to the heavy tank class made competitive matches feel unbalanced and repetitive.

### 4. to polish

verb · CEFR B2

to rub something with a soft cloth to make it shine.

For teachers: to polish a surface using a soft material or a mechanical tool to achieve a high gloss.

- He spent the afternoon buffing the car until it looked brand new.
- The jeweler carefully buffed the silver platter to remove the tarnish that had accumulated over decades of storage.

### 5. muscular

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

having a strong, fit body with well-developed muscles.

For teachers: possessing a physically fit, toned, and muscular physique.

- He has been going to the gym every day and is looking very buff.
- The lead actor spent six months training with a professional athlete to ensure he looked sufficiently buff for the superhero role.

### 7. nakedness

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

used in the phrase 'in the buff' to mean wearing no clothes.

For teachers: the state of being naked; almost exclusively used in the prepositional phrase 'in the buff'.

- The children were running around in the buff after their bath.
- The artist's early sketches often depicted subjects in the buff, focusing on the natural contours of the human form without the distraction of drapery.

## Examples

- My brother is a huge movie buff.
- As a history buff, she spent her entire vacation visiting every museum and battlefield in the region.
- The director, a noted jazz buff, filled the soundtrack with rare recordings from the 1950s to create an authentic atmosphere for the film.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.