ENGLISH
REFERENCE

muff

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈməf// UK //mˈʌf// muff Archaic Informal Slang Vulgar

n. a very rude and informal word for a woman's breast. It is considered offensive and should be avoided in polite conversation.

n. a vulgar and informal term for a female breast. Highly offensive in register; restricted to crude or sexual contexts.


SIMPLE

He used a crude word like 'muff' to insult her.

CONTEXTUAL

The comedian was criticized for using a vulgar term like 'muff' in his stand-up routine.

Synonyms
Etymology 1

Probably from Dutch mof (“muff, mitten”).

Etymology 2

Unknown; perhaps a specialised use of Etymology 1, above; or perhaps related to Dutch muffen (“to dote”) and German muffen (“to sulk”).

Etymology 3

Shortening.

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