NYT Dictionary

GRUFF

/ɡɹɐf/
AdjectiveVerbNounGRUHFGrade 4

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2024, 2026

Meaning

having a rough, surly, and harsh demeanor and nature.

Etymology

Origin: German

16th century, from Dutch grof and/or Middle Low German grof (both “rough, coarse, rude”), from Old Dutch *grof or Old Saxon *grof, both from Proto-West Germanic *grob, from Proto-Germanic *grubaz (“coarse, rough”), possibly from an earlier *gahrubaz and then related with *hreubaz (“scabby, rough, scrubby”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian groaf (“rough, coarse, crude”), West Frisian grof (“rough, coarse, crude”), Low German groff (“rough, coarse, crude”), German grob (“rough, coarse, crude”), Swedish grov (“rough, coarse, crude”).

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

crustycurmudgeonlyhoarsehuskyabruptaggressivebearishbeastlybluffblunt

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

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