gruff

1 of 2

adjective

ˈgrəf 

1

: rough, brusque, or stern in manner, speech, or aspect

a gruff reply

2

: being deep and harsh : hoarse

a gruff voice

gruffly adverb

gruffness noun

gruff

2 of 2

verb

gruffed; gruffing; gruffs

transitive verb

: to utter in a gruff voice or manner

"Get out of bed now!" gruffed the sergeant.

Synonyms

Adjective

• coarse
• croaking
• croaky
• grating
• gravel
• gravelly
• hoarse
• husky
• rasping
• raspy
• rusty
• scratchy
• throaty

Choose the Right Synonym for gruff

bluff, blunt, brusque, curt, crusty, gruff mean abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner.

bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.

a bluff manner

blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings.

a blunt appraisal

brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness.

a brusque response

curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.

a curt command

crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.

a crusty exterior

gruff suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness.

puts on a gruff pose

Examples of gruff in a Sentence

Adjective

Don't be fooled by his gruff manner—he's really very kind.

He spoke in a gruff voice.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

And two of the other main actors had actually died, one during the shooting, Oliver Reed [who played the gruff gladiator trainer]. —Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024

Hearing those words, spoken in a gruff North of England accent, most Irish people over 40 will immediately start to hum a super-catchy guitar riff inspired by Celtic rockers Horslips. —Jeff Rueter, The Athletic, 23 Nov. 2024

Verb

Devs, normally gruff with his postgame talks, couldn’t hide his pleasure. —James Hookway, WSJ, 16 May 2022

Pompeo, often gruff in interactions with reporters, is a skilled retail politician and, although not a soaring orator, is adept at holding an audience’s attention. —David M. Drucker, Washington Examiner, 2 Mar. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Dutch grof; akin to Old High German grob coarse, hruf scurf — more at dandruff

Verb

derivative of gruff entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

1691, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1706, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

gruff

adjective

ˈgrəf

1

: rough or stern in manner, speech, or look

a gruff reply

2

: being deep and harsh : hoarse

a gruff voice

gruffly adverb

gruffness noun