How to Pronounce Luff

To pronounce "luff", say LUFF — one syllable, IPA /lʌf/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

luff

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Accent

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1

Syllable

4

Letters

/lʌf/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “luff”

"luff" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with puff and chuff, if that helps it stick.

What does luff mean?

noun

  1. The vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind.

    “By easing the halyard, the luff of the sail was made to sag to leeward.”

  2. The act of sailing a ship close to the wind.

verb

  1. (of a sail) To shake due to being trimmed improperly.
  2. (of a boat) To alter course to windward so that the sails luff. (Alternatively luff up)

Words that rhyme with luff

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

puffchuffgruffroughbufftoughsloughbluffsnuffstuffmuffrebuff

Related words

pointtackletackloofcunninghamheadlapperlugsail

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "luff"?▾

"Luff" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "luff"?▾

The IPA transcription of "luff" is /lʌf/.

What does "luff" mean?▾

Luff: The vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind.

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