What does guff mean?
Guff is an informal English noun for foolish, meaningless, or pretentious talk, especially the kind that sounds confident without adding substance. It is often dismissive: “What a load of guff!” is a natural reaction to an overlong or silly explanation. In British and American conversation, it can be blunt and slightly informal, though it is not confined to regional use. The verb guff is a separate informal sense meaning “to go to sleep,” as in “He guffed off after dinner.” This meaning may surprise readers who know only the noun. Guff is especially useful because it labels not merely a mistake but talk whose apparent wisdom or seriousness does not survive scrutiny. It carries a mocking edge, so it is often stronger and more dismissive than a neutral word like “comment.” The word has an uncertain deeper origin, although it is well established in English from the early nineteenth century.
Foolish, meaningless, or pretentious talk.
"The film was undermined by a great deal of pretentious guff."
Usually an informal, dismissive term and normally used as an uncountable noun.
To go to sleep.
"I was exhausted, so I guffed off almost as soon as I got home."
Informal and intransitive; common in British and American English.
Usually used as an uncountable noun; the plural is possible but uncommon.
"The article contained several amusing guffs about corporate jargon."
Guff is the unusual word that can mean both talk worth dismissing and the act of drifting off to sleep.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does guff come from?
Guff is an English word recorded from the early nineteenth century. Its deeper origin is uncertain, so no source language or close cognate can be identified confidently. The noun meaning foolish talk and the verb meaning to go to sleep are now distinct in ordinary usage.
How guff is actually used
The noun is informal and usually dismissive, suggesting that speech is foolish, empty, or inflated with false importance. It is common in argumentative and conversational contexts in both British and American English. The verb meaning “to go to sleep” is also informal and is distinct from the noun's sense.
Easily confused with guff
Guff means foolish talk or, as a verb, to go to sleep, whereas a guffaw is a loud laugh.