See synonyms for: gruff / gruffness on Thesaurus.com. ? College Level. adjective, gruff·er, gruff·est. low and harsh; hoarse: a gruff voice. rough, brusque, or surly: a gruff manner.

What does the word gruffness mean?

gruffness Add to list Share. Someone who's very abrupt — so blunt or curt that they're almost rude — has the quality of gruffness. Your uncle's gruffness might cause most of your cousins to be scared of him.

What is a gruff person?

Gruff is an abrupt or forbidding tone. It's the kind of short, brusque response you'd give a telemarketer who called you in the middle of dinner — right before you hung up. Gruff is the perfect adjective to describe a crotchety old man who rarely leaves his house and yells at any children who dare to cross his lawn.