# eff

/ˌiːˌɛfˈɛf/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. euphemism for 'fuck'

verb · CEFR C2 · Informal · Slang · Humorous

to use a softer word instead of the 'F-word' when you are angry or want to swear politely.

For teachers: to serve as a euphemistic substitute for the expletive 'fuck', often used to maintain a degree of decorum while expressing frustration.

- I am so tired of this job, I just want to eff off and never come back.
- He was so frustrated with the bureaucratic delays that he told the clerk to eff off, though he immediately regretted the outburst.

Usage: Often used in the phrasal verbs 'eff off' or 'eff up'.

### 2. the letter F

noun · CEFR B2

the name of the letter 'F' when you write it out as a word.

For teachers: the phonetic representation or name of the Latin script letter 'F'.

- The word 'fish' starts with an eff.
- The typographer noted that the descender on the lowercase eff was slightly too long for the chosen line spacing.

Usage: Usually spelled 'ef' or 'eff'.

### 3. to express in words

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

to put a feeling or idea into words.

For teachers: to express or articulate something in words; the verbal counterpart to 'ineffable'.

- It is hard to eff the beauty of the mountains in a simple poem.
- The philosopher struggled to eff the transcendental experience, eventually concluding that some truths remain beyond the reach of language.

Usage: Rare in modern English; most commonly encountered in its negated adjective form 'ineffable'.

## Examples

- He was so angry that he started to eff and blind.
- The comedian managed to eff and blind his way through the entire set without actually offending the older audience members.
- While the script was peppered with characters who would eff and blind at the slightest provocation, the director insisted on a more nuanced delivery to avoid a restrictive age rating.

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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.