What does cuff mean?
A cuff is the band of fabric at the end of a sleeve that fits around the wrist, whether folded back, buttoned, or fastened with cuff links on formal dress shirts. The word extends beyond clothing: in its plural form it refers to handcuffs used by police, and as a verb, to cuff means to deliver a quick blow with an open hand, a usage now somewhat informal or old-fashioned. English preserves a memorable idiom here — speaking 'off the cuff' means talking spontaneously without preparation, a phrase said to originate from speakers who jotted prompts on their shirt cuffs. Cuff therefore bridges tailoring, law enforcement, and everyday speech, making it a compact word with surprisingly wide reach across contexts both literal and figurative.
The turned-back or attached band at the end of a sleeve that encircles the wrist.
"He adjusted his cuffs before shaking hands with the ambassador."
(Usually in plural: cuffs) A metal restraint for the wrists; a handcuff.
"The officer placed the cuffs on the detainee's wrists."
Almost always used in the plural form 'handcuffs'.
To strike someone with an open hand, typically a light blow.
"She cuffed him lightly on the ear."
Informal and somewhat dated in modern usage.
Used both for multiple sleeve bands and, commonly, for handcuffs.
"He rolled up his cuffs and got to work."
'Off the cuff' — meaning improvised without preparation — comes from speakers jotting notes on their starched shirt cuffs in the days before cue cards.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cuff
The origin of 'cuff' is uncertain. It appears in late Middle English, likely borrowed from a Scandinavian source, though the exact root remains debated. It has been used for the end of a sleeve since at least the early modern period, with the sense of a blow from the hand developing later. Its cognates are unclear, so confident related words are hard to identify.
Related word forms
How cuff is actually used
The verb sense of cuff (a light blow with the open hand) is somewhat informal and dated in some regions. The phrase 'off the cuff' is widely used to describe spontaneous, unrehearsed remarks.
Easily confused with cuff
A cough is a sudden expulsion of air from the lungs due to illness or irritation, whereas a cuff is either the end of a sleeve or a blow with the open hand.