Meaning of gruff in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ɡrəf/

   US accent

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   UK accent

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1. Classifying Adjective

   gruff

   Definitions

   1. brusque and surly and forbidding

   Examples

   • « crusty remarks »
   • « a crusty old man »
   • « his curmudgeonly temper »
   • « gruff manner »
   • « a gruff reply »

   Synonyms

   • ill-natured
2. 2. deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness or emotion

   Examples

   • « gruff voices »
   • « the dog's gruff barking »
   • « hoarse cries »
   • « makes all the instruments sound powerful but husky- Virgil Thomson »

   Synonyms

   • cacophonous
   • cacophonic