bluff¹ / bləf/ • n. an attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or will do something: the offer was denounced as a bluff.• v. [intr.] try to deceive someone as to one's abilities or intentions: he's been bluffing all along. ∎  (in a card game) bet heavily on a weak hand in order to deceive opponents. ∎  (bluff one's way) contrive a difficult escape or other achievement by maintaining a pretense: he bluffed his way onto an Antarctic supply vessel.PHRASES: call someone's bluff challenge someone thought to be bluffing.DERIVATIVES: bluff·er n.bluff² • adj. direct in speech or behavior but in a good-natured way: a big, bluff, hearty man.DERIVATIVES: bluff·ly adv.bluff·ness n.bluff³ • n. a steep cliff, bank, or promontory. • adj. (of a cliff or a ship's bow) having a vertical or steep broad front.

bluff1 nearly vertical or perpendicular XVII; rough, blunt XVIII; good-naturedly curt or abrupt XIX. orig. naut., perh. of LG. orig. As sb. broad precipitous headland XVII (first in N. America).

bluff2 (orig. U.S. in poker) give a false impression of strength. etc.; also sb. XIX. — Du. bluffen brag, boast, and bluff bragging, boasting.