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“Tough” or “Tuff”

tough / tuff are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

tough t·AH·f

  • adjectivenot given to gentleness or sentimentality.
  • adjectivephysically toughened.
  • adjectiveresistant to cutting or chewing.

tuff t·AH·f

  • nounhard volcanic rock composed of compacted volcanic ash.
Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“tough”

  • …that so much of Gish's tough, funny, intuitive performance, particularly in…
  • …distinctions as these papers are tough.
  • …July 2012, due to the tough economic climate.
  • …who wanted to make a tough race over the Wicklow Mountains.
  • …was best known for his tough style of playing.
  • …do this, this is a tough role because I'm bringing you…
  • 233: Tough Justice
  • …part of Paper 2 was tough and difficult to score.
  • …Paper 1, is usually very tough to score above 30.
  • …a rube posing as a tough racketeer.

“tuff”

  • Tuff makes up a considerable amount…
  • Instead, Tuff Hedeman won the championship; Hedeman…
  • …recorded in Kingston, Jamaica at Tuff Gong Studios and Anchor Studios…
  • …volcanic eruptions that caused the tuff stone in which the fossils…
  • Tuff Hedeman, rodeo performer
  • The tuff has allowed detailed dating of…
  • …in 1954 reported beds of tuff in the Paja Formation near…
  • …BAFTA-winning animated series, mixed-media comedy Tuff Pom and The Grim Repo…
  • …Wet Side Edge Member (andesitic lapilli-tuff) and Long Top Member (rhyolitic…
  • "Tuff Stuff 2005 Standard Catalog of…

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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