Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

baff

/bæf/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.68 in modern English

Syllables: baff
IPA: /bæf/

12

Scrabble Score

4

Letters

1

Syllables

3

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

Archaic; Intransitive verb

verb

To hit or strike, especially with something flat or soft.

verb

To strike the ground with the bottom of the club when taking a stroke.

noun

Uncountable

noun

Initialism of B-cell activating factor.

name

Initialism of British Armed Forces Federation.

name

Initialism of British Air Forces in France.

name

Etymology

From Middle English baffen (“to bark”). Cognate with Dutch baffen (“to bark”), Low German baffen (“to bark”), German baffen, bäfzen (“to bark”), Danish bjæffe (“to yelp”), Swedish bjäbba (“to yelp, bark”). Compare buff, yaff.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: baffen, baff, baf

Usage

Inflected Forms

baffs (present, singular) baffing (participle, present) baffed (participle, past) baffed (past)

Derived Forms

baffy

Phrases

baffed out

Rhymes With

half staff laugh graph block graph af calf raf giraffe aff caf herschel graph

Questions

How do you pronounce baff?: The recorded pronunciation is /bæf/.
What does baff mean?: To bark; yelp.
Where does baff come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce baff

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “baff”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/bæf/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “baff”.
Repeat and practice — Say “baff” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.