gruff

About 0.58 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. adjective having a rough, surly, and harsh demeanor and nature.
2. adjective hoarse-voiced.

   a gruff woman

3. adjective hoarse.

   a gruff voice

4. verb To speak gruffly.
5. noun Alternative spelling of grough (“gully in a moor”).
6. adjective Of goods: bulky.

Similar words

curmudgeonly ill-natured ill-humored cacophonous husky hoarse ill-humoured cacophonic crusty surly

Often followed by

voice and old manner but with tone exterior man

Word family

gruffed gruffer gruffest gruffing gruffly gruffness gruffnesses gruffs