bluff

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)
  2. noun pretense that your position is stronger than it really is
  3. noun the act of bluffing in poker; deception by a false show of confidence in the strength of your cards

Etymology

Probably from Dutch bluffen (“to brag”), from Middle Dutch bluffen (“to make something swell; to bluff”); or from the Dutch noun bluf (“bragging”). Related to German verblüffen (“to stump, perplex”).

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