# Buffy

/ˈbəfi/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. colour

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

having a pale, brownish-yellow colour, similar to the colour of sand or soft leather.

For teachers: possessing a dull, yellowish-beige or tan colour; often used in biological or technical descriptions of animals and materials.

- The bird had small, buffy feathers around its neck that were hard to see from far away.
- The naturalist noted the buffy plumage on the underside of the specimen, which distinguished it from the more common white-bellied variety.

Usage: Often used in ornithology and biology to describe the specific shading of fur or feathers.

## Examples

- She has a nice, buffy complexion.
- The chef served the steak with a buffy crust and a pink center.
- The old leather sofa had faded from a deep mahogany to a soft, buffy tan after years of sunlight.

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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.