Ask Difference

Bluff vs. Bluster — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Bluff and Bluster

ADVERTISEMENT

Definitions

Bluff

An attempt to deceive someone into believing that one can or is going to do something
His game of bluff
The offer was denounced as a bluff

Bluster

To blow in loud, violent gusts, as the wind during a storm.

Bluff

A steep cliff, bank, or promontory.

Bluster

To speak in a loudly arrogant or bullying manner.

Bluff

A grove or clump of trees.
ADVERTISEMENT

Bluster

To brag or make loud, empty threats.

Bluff

Try to deceive someone as to one's abilities or intentions
The object is to bluff your opponent into submission
He's been bluffing all along
They bluffed their way past the sentries

Bluster

To force or bully with swaggering threats.

Bluff

Direct in speech or behaviour but in a good-natured way
A big, bluff, hearty man

Bluster

A violent, gusty wind.
ADVERTISEMENT

Bluff

(of a cliff or a ship's bows) having a vertical or steep broad front.

Bluster

Turbulence or noisy confusion.

Bluff

To engage in a false display of confidence or aggression in order to deceive or intimidate someone
The management debated if there would really be a strike or if the union was bluffing.

Bluster

Loud, arrogant speech, often full of empty threats.

Bluff

To make a display of aggression, as by charging or baring the teeth, as a means of intimidating another animal.

Bluster

Pompous, officious talk.

Bluff

To try to mislead opponents in a card game by heavy betting on a poor hand or by little or no betting on a good one.

Bluster

A gust of wind.

Bluff

To deceive or intimidate (someone) by a false display of confidence or aggression.

Bluster

Fitful noise and violence.

Bluff

To try to mislead (opponents) in a card game by heavy betting on a poor hand or by little or no betting on a good one.

Bluster

To speak or protest loudly.
When confronted by opposition his reaction was to bluster, which often cowed the meek.

Bluff

To start but not carry out (an action) as a means of deceiving or intimidating another
The pitcher bluffed a throw to first base.

Bluster

To act or speak in an unduly threatening manner.

Bluff

The act or practice of bluffing.

Bluster

To blow in strong or sudden gusts.

Bluff

A steep headland, promontory, riverbank, or cliff.

Bluster

To blow fitfully with violence and noise, as wind; to be windy and boisterous, as the weather.
And ever-threatening stormsOf Chaos blustering round.

Bluff

Having or showing a rough and blunt but not unkind manner
"the great big bluff guests who told bawdy jokes and got up early to watch the sun rise" (Erin McGraw).

Bluster

To talk with noisy violence; to swagger, as a turbulent or boasting person; to act in a noisy, tumultuous way; to play the bully; to storm; to rage.
Your ministerial directors blustered like tragic tyrants.

Bluff

Having a broad, steep front
The boat's bluff bow.

Bluster

To utter, or do, with noisy violence; to force by blustering; to bully.
He bloweth and blustereth out . . . his abominable blasphemy.
As if therewith he meant to bluster all princes into a perfect obedience to his commands.

Bluff

An act of bluffing; a false expression of the strength of one's position in order to intimidate; braggadocio.
That is only bluff, or a bluff.

Bluster

Fitful noise and violence, as of a storm; violent winds; boisterousness.
To the winds they setTheir corners, when with bluster to confoundSea, air, and shore.

Bluff

(poker) An attempt to represent oneself as holding a stronger hand than one actually does.
John's bet was a bluff: he bet without even so much as a pair.

Bluster

Noisy and violent or threatening talk; noisy and boastful language.

Bluff

The card game poker.

Bluster

Noisy confusion and turbulence;
He was awakened by the bluster of their preparations

Bluff

One who bluffs; a bluffer.

Bluster

A swaggering show of courage

Bluff

An excuse.

Bluster

A violent gusty wind

Bluff

A high, steep bank, for example by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.

Bluster

Vain and empty boasting

Bluff

(Canadian Prairies) A small wood or stand of trees, typically poplar or willow.

Bluster

Blow hard; be gusty, as of wind;
A southeaster blustered onshore
The flames blustered

Bluff

(poker) To make a bluff; to give the impression that one's hand is stronger than it is.
John bluffed by betting without even a pair.

Bluster

Show off

Bluff

(by analogy) To frighten or deter with a false show of strength or confidence; to give a false impression of strength or temerity in order to intimidate and gain some advantage.
The government claims it will call an election if this bill does not pass. Is it truly ready to do so, or is it bluffing?

Bluster

Act in an arrogant, overly self-assured, or conceited manner

Bluff

To take advantage by bluffing.
We bluffed our way past the guards.

Bluff

To give false information intentionally; to lie; to deceive

Bluff

To fluff, puff or swell up.

Bluff

Having a broad, flattened front.
The bluff bows of a ship

Bluff

Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front.

Bluff

Surly; churlish; gruff; rough.

Bluff

Roughly frank and hearty in one's manners.
A bluff answer
A bluff manner of talking
A bluff sea captain

Bluff

Having a broad, flattened front; as, the bluff bows of a ship.

Bluff

Rising steeply with a flat or rounded front.
Its banks, if not really steep, had a bluff and precipitous aspect.

Bluff

Surly; churlish; gruff; rough.

Bluff

Abrupt; roughly frank; unceremonious; blunt; brusque; as, a bluff answer; a bluff manner of talking; a bluff sea captain.
There is indeed a bluff pertinacity which is a proper defense in a moment of surprise.

Bluff

A high, steep bank, as by a river or the sea, or beside a ravine or plain; a cliff with a broad face.
Beach, bluff, and wave, adieu.

Bluff

An act of bluffing; an expression of self-confidence for the purpose of intimidation; braggadocio; as, that is only bluff, or a bluff.

Bluff

A game at cards; poker.

Bluff

To deter (an opponent) from taking the risk of betting on his hand of cards, as the bluffer does by betting heavily on his own hand although it may be of less value.

Bluff

To frighten or deter from accomplishing a purpose by making a show of confidence in one's strength or resources; as, he bluffed me off.

Bluff

To act as in the game of bluff.

Bluff

A high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)

Bluff

Pretense that your position is stronger than it really is;
His bluff succeeded in getting him accepted

Bluff

The act of bluffing in poker; deception by a false show of confidence in the strength of your cards

Bluff

Deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand

Bluff

Frighten someone by pretending to be stronger than one really is

Bluff

Very steep; having a prominent and almost vertical front;
A bluff headland
Where the bold chalk cliffs of England rise
A sheer descent of rock

Bluff

Bluntly direct and outspoken but good-natured;
A bluff but pleasant manner
A bluff and rugged natural leader

Popular Comparisons

Featured Comparisons

Trending Comparisons

New Phrases