how to pronounce gruff

/ɡɹʌf/

audio example by a male speaker

audio example by a female speaker

the above transcription of gruff is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.

gruff is pronounced in one syllable

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1. example pitch curve for pronunciation of gruff

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video examples of gruff pronunciation

An example use of gruff in a speech by a native speaker of british english:

“… and sometimes very very gruff and at …”

meanings of gruff

adjective:

Having a rough, surly, and harsh demeanor and nature.
Hoarse-voiced.

verb:

To speak gruffly.

gruff frequency in english - C2+ level of CEFR

the word gruff occurs in english on average 1.3 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for C2+ level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.