gruff

IPA/ɡrʌf/
KK[ɡrˈʌf]IPA/ɡrʌf/

gruff — adjective

  • gruffpositive
  • gruffercomparative
  • gruffestsuperlative

1. having a low, rough voice or a short, impatient manner that makes someone seem u

1.形容詞C1
釋義

having a low, rough voice or a short, impatient manner that makes someone seem unfriendly

例句

The guard gave us a gruff reply when we asked where the museum entrance was.

collocation: gruff reply / gruff answer

Defne's gruff voice softened after her son brought her a cup of tea.

collocation: gruff voice

同義詞
  • brusque

    more formal; stresses a short, abrupt way of speaking

  • curt

    focuses on using very few words, sometimes sounding rude

  • rough

    broader; can describe voice, treatment, or physical texture

  • stern

    suggests strict seriousness or disapproval more than vocal roughness

反義詞
  • gentle

    soft and kind in voice or manner

  • warm

    friendly and welcoming in tone

  • friendly

    open and pleasant rather than short or impatient

文法句型

gruff + noun (voice, reply, greeting, manner)

sound + gruff

be + gruff + with + someone

用法筆記

Most often describes a voice, reply, greeting, or manner that feels short and unfriendly. It can suggest tiredness, stress, or habit rather than deliberate cruelty.

常見錯誤

❌The coach gave a gruff cheer after the goal.
✅The coach gave a loud cheer after the goal.
💡'gruff' describes a rough or unfriendly tone, not simple loudness.
❌The blanket feels gruff.
✅The blanket feels rough.
💡'gruff' describes voices and behaviour, not physical texture.