adjective
bluff
Direct and cheerfully friendly in manner.
The host greets us in a bluff manner.
Etymology
Bluff first described a broad, blunt, or abrupt appearance and was applied to a person’s manner. Its social meaning softened toward frank, hearty directness, with less implication of deliberate rudeness.
More examples
- His bluff friendliness soon put them at ease.
- She liked the captain’s bluff humor.
- A bluff welcome awaited every visitor.
Forms
bluff · bluffer · bluffest
Similar words
- hearty
- Warmly enthusiastic.
- plainspoken
- Direct in speech without necessarily cheerfulness.