Word Games Pro Dictionary
gruff
adjective
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
Quick reference
Word Facts
- Word length
- 5
- Starts with
- G
- Ends with
- F
- Contains
- RUF
- Scrabble score
- 12
- Database source
- OEWN 2025 Core
How it sounds
Pronunciation
ɡɹʌf
Meaning
Definitions
adjective
deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion
“gruff voices”
adjective
brusque and surly and forbidding
“crusty remarks”
In context
Example Sentences
gruff voices
the dog's gruff barking
hoarse cries
{'source': 'Virgil Thomson', 'text': 'makes all the instruments sound powerful but husky'}
crusty remarks
a crusty old man
his curmudgeonly temper
gruff manner
a gruff reply
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