Gruff Meaning in English
word
Definition
If someone’s manner or voice is gruff, it is rough, deep, and sometimes unfriendly or abrupt.
Usage & Nuances
More common for voices than personalities, but can describe behavior. Often implies roughness with little warmth—'gruff voice', 'gruff reply'. Can sound negative, but sometimes affectionately applied to people who are kind under a tough exterior.
Spanish: áspero - bruscoPortuguese (BR): áspero - rudePortuguese (PT): áspero - rudeChinese (Simplified): 粗哑的 - 粗暴的Chinese (Traditional): 粗啞的 - 粗暴的Hindi: कड़क (आवाज़/व्यवहार) - रूखाArabic: خشن - غليظBengali: রুক্ষ - কর্কশ - কঠোর (ব্যবহার)Russian: грубый - резкий (о голосе)Japanese: ぶっきらぼうな - しわがれた (声)Vietnamese: thô lỗ - cộc cằn - thô ráp (giọng nói)Korean: 거친 - 무뚝뚝한 - 쉰 (목소리)Turkish: sert - kaba - haşin (ses)Urdu: کرخت - کرخت لہجے والا - سخت (آواز)Indonesian: kasar - suara serak - sikap keras
Example Sentences
His gruff voice made him sound unfriendly.
basic
The teacher answered with a gruff reply.
basic
His gruff manner scared the small children.
basic
“What do you want?” he asked in a gruff tone.
natural
Beneath his gruff exterior, he's actually very kind.
natural
Don’t mind his gruff greeting—he’s always like that in the morning.
natural