buff
BUF
/bʌf/
To polish a surface with a soft material, either by hand or using a rotary machine, to bring out a high shine or remove excess product.
Buffing is the physical action of rubbing a surface to distribute polish or wax evenly and remove residue, creating a mirror-like finish.
The story behind the word. In the 16th century, 'buff' referred to a thick, soft leather made from buffalo hides. Because this leather was incredibly soft and durable, craftsmen used strips of it to polish metal and wood. Over time, the action of using this leather to polish became known as 'buffing'.
Word relationships
- burnish: Burnish implies rubbing a surface hard to make it smooth and shiny, often used for metals or leather.
- shine: Shine is a general term, whereas buff refers specifically to the physical act of rubbing with a soft material.
- dull: To dull is to make a surface lose its shine or reflectivity.
Commonly confused with
- polish: Polishing is the chemical/abrasive process of correcting paint; buffing is the physical action of wiping or spinning a pad to finish the surface.
Word family
- buffer (noun): A mechanical tool used for buffing paintwork.
- buffing (noun): The process of rubbing a surface to a shine.
Collocations
- buff out
- machine buff
- buffing pad
- buff to a shine
Example sentences
- "After the wax dries to a haze, use a clean microfiber towel to buff the surface to a high gloss." Instructing someone on how to finish waxing a car.
- "He had to buff the plastic headlight lenses for ten minutes to remove the yellow haze." Describing the restoration of dull headlights.
Memory hook
Picture a 'buff' (strong) person using a machine to vigorously rub a car. Buff to bring out the shine.
When not to use
Do not use when referring to the application of a product; buffing is typically the step where you wipe off or polish out the product.
Fun facts
- The term 'in the buff' (meaning naked) comes from the color of buff leather, which closely resembled human skin.
- Using a mechanical buffer incorrectly can create 'holograms' or buffer trails, which are microscopic scratches caused by keeping the pad in one spot too long.
Related words
Also appears in
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