Meaning & use
cuffs
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“cuffs” is a form of “cuff”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounusually plural
The folded or separate bands of fabric at the wrist end of a sleeve.
Grammar: Usually plural, since a shirt has two: the cuffs are frayed.
Patterns
- the cuffs of something
- roll up your cuffs
He rolled up his cuffs before washing the dishes.
The cuffs of her coat were trimmed with fur.
Check that the cuffs on your shirt are clean.
nounpluralinformal
A pair of metal rings joined by a chain that lock around a person's wrists to restrain them.
Grammar: Plural form only: the cuffs were tight.
Patterns
- put the cuffs on someone
- in cuffs
The officer put the cuffs on the suspect.
He was led away in cuffs.
The thief slipped out of the cuffs while the guard looked away.
nounusually pluralAmerican
The turned-up folded edges at the bottom of trouser legs.
Grammar: American usage: British English says turn-ups.
Patterns
- trousers with cuffs
The tailor sewed cuffs onto the pants.
Cuffs on trousers are less fashionable than they once were.
He tucked his cuffs into his boots.
nounpluralold-fashioned
Light slaps or blows with the open hand.
Grammar: Plural of cuff meaning a light slap.
Patterns
- cuffs around the ear
The boy got a few cuffs from his older brother.
In the story, the teacher handed out cuffs to the noisy pupils.
They exchanged playful cuffs and laughed.
Word forms
| singular | cuff |
|---|
Common combinations
- shirt cuffs
- He fastened the buttons on his shirt cuffs.
- put the cuffs on
- The detective put the cuffs on the suspect.
- in cuffs
- The suspect appeared in court in cuffs.
- french cuffs
- He wore French cuffs with silver cufflinks.
- frayed cuffs
- His jacket had frayed cuffs but still looked smart.
Synonyms and how they differ
- handcuffs
- Handcuffs is the full, formal term, whereas cuffs is shorter and more casual.
- manacles
- Manacles is older and suggests chains used on prisoners in history, not modern police gear.
- sleeve ends
- Sleeve ends is a plain descriptive phrase that tailors rarely use.
- turn-ups
- Turn-ups is the British word for trouser cuffs.
Word family
Commonly confused: cuffs or cough?
cuffs vs cough
Cough is the sound or action of clearing the throat; cuffs is something worn or used on the wrist.
Practice
The officer slipped the ____ onto the suspect's wrists and read him his rights.
Choose one answer.
Cuffs here means handcuffs, the restraints put on a suspect's wrists. Collars and sleeves are clothing parts.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cuffs”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.