What does "guff" mean?
Nonsensical talk or thinking.
Guff
/ɡʌf/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Nonsensical talk or thinking.
- Grammar: guff is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: hogwash, babble, babblement, back talk.
- Useful contrasts: facts, substance, truth.
- Usage evidence: And don't give me any guff about it.
How to use "guff"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "guff" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "guff" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "guff" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "guff" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "guff" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "hogwash" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "guff", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Nonsensical talk or thinking. informal, uncountable
"“… That woman is stark mad, Lord Stranleigh.[…]If she had her way, she’d ruin the company inside a year with her hare-brained schemes ; love of the people, and that sort of guff.”"
- 2 unacceptable behavior (especially ludicrously false statements) wordnet
- 3 Superfluous information. informal, uncountable
- 4 Insolent or otherwise unacceptable remarks. informal, uncountable
"“Oh, my God. Did-did you guys kill him?” “No! No one murdered him” “No! What... He was just...” “We found him in there.” “(laughs) I'm just giving you guff. And, uh, just so you know, I am feeding on you guys right now.”"
- 5 A fart; act of breaking wind. countable, slang
Verb
- 1 To fart. slang
- 2 To mislead. slang
""Let me see if I get you. You can't bear to help convict Ashe of murder because you doubt if he's guilty, so you're scooting. Right?" […]"That's close enough," Wolfe said. "Not close enough for me. If you expect me to[…] invite a stiff fine for running out on a subpoena[…], don't try to guff me. Say we doubt if Ashe is guilty, but we think he may get tagged because we know Mandelbaum wouldn't go to trial without a good case. Say also our bank account needs a shot in the arm, which is true. So we decide to see if we can[…]""
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"And don't give me any guff about it."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "guff"?
Common synonyms include: hogwash, babble, babblement, back talk, balderdash, baloney.
How do you use "guff" in a sentence?
And don't give me any guff about it.
How do you pronounce "guff"?
Pronounced /ɡʌf/.