ˈblʌf aʊt the act of bluffing in poker; deception by a false show of confidence in the strength of your cards bluntly direct and outspoken but good-natured a bluff but pleasant manner a bluff and rugged natural leader frighten someone by pretending to be stronger than one really is deceive an opponent by a bold bet on an inferior hand with the result that the opponent withdraws a winning hand 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 pretense that your position is stronger than it really is his bluff succeeded in getting him accepted a high steep bank (usually formed by river erosion)