How to pronounce cuff
Say it like KUHF. Cuff is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce cuff. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KUHF
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Cuff pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KUHFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
American vs British pronunciation of cuff
American and British speakers say cuff in essentially the same way: /kʌf/ in the US and /kʌf/ in the UK.
British respelling: KUHF.
What does cuff mean?
- the lap consisting of a turned-back hem encircling the end of the sleeve or leg
- shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs
- hit with the hand
- confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs“The police handcuffed the suspect at the scene of the crime”
Where does cuff come from?
From Middle English cuffe, coffe (“glove, mitten”), of obscure origin.
Words that rhyme with cuff
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of cuff.
Questions about saying cuff
How do you pronounce cuff?
Say KUHF. The American pronunciation is /kʌf/. In British English it is /kʌf/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in cuff?
Cuff is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: KUHF.
Do Americans and Brits say cuff the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kʌf/ and the British form is /kʌf/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.