Tuff vs. Tough
Main DifferenceTuff and Tough are the homonyms as both these words have similar pronunciations. They are often used interchangeably, although they have distinguishable differences and can’t be used in place of each other. The word tough is used in formal and informal English language, on the other hand, tuff is the slang English word (very informal). Tough is most primarily used as an adjective and it is used to tell about the ability of endurance of someone or something, it can either be used for living and non-living items. In livings the tough refers to the ability to bear and endure hardship and pain, whereas in non-living items it refers to the withstanding or durability of the item without breaking or damaging. On the other hand, tuff is a slang word (very informal), used for someone or something cool or attractive, it also prominently refers to the humanely qualities like stubbornness. Other than this, tuff is a light, porous rock that is made up of the volcanic ash.

Difference Between Tuff and Tough
Tuff vs. Tough
Tuff is an English language slang word that is used for someone or something cool, unique or attractive, whereas the word tough is used formally and informally in English language and it is used to tell about the ability of enduring of someone or something.
Tuff vs. Tough
In livings the tough refers to the ability to bear and endure hardship and pain, whereas in non-living items it refers to the withstanding or durability of the item without breaking or damaging.
Tuff vs. Tough
In the geology perspective, tuff is a light, porous rock that is formed up due to consolidation of volcanic ash.
Tuff vs. Tough
When it is about the well-built strong body the both the words, tough and tuff can be used as that physique is referred as cool or attractive, and at the same time, tough can be used for the physique as a tough workout and endurance leads to that well-built body.
Tuffnoun
(rock) A light porous rock, now especially a rock composed of compacted volcanic ash varying in size from fine sand to coarse gravel.
Toughadjective
Strong and resilient; sturdy.
The tent, made of tough canvas, held up to many abuses.Tuffnoun
hard volcanic rock composed of compacted volcanic ash
Toughadjective
(of food) Difficult to cut or chew.
To soften a tough cut of meat, the recipe suggested simmering it for hours.Toughadjective
Rugged or physically hardy.
Only a tough species will survive in the desert.Toughadjective
Stubborn.
He had a reputation as a tough negotiator.Toughadjective
(of weather etc) Harsh or severe.
Toughadjective
Rowdy or rough.
A bunch of the tough boys from the wrong side of the tracks threatened him.Toughadjective
(of questions, etc.) Difficult or demanding.
This is a tough crowd.Toughadjective
(material science) Undergoing plastic deformation before breaking.
Toughinterjection
(slang) Used to indicate lack of sympathy
If you don't like it, tough!Toughnoun
A person who obtains things by force; a thug or bully.
They were doing fine until they encountered a bunch of toughs from the opposition.Toughverb
To endure.
Toughverb
To toughen.
Toughnoun
someone who learned to fight in the streets rather than being formally trained in the sport of boxing
Toughnoun
an aggressive and violent young criminal
Toughnoun
a cruel and brutal fellow
Toughadjective
not given to gentleness or sentimentality;
a tough characterToughadjective
very difficult; severely testing stamina or resolution;
a rugged competitive examinationthe rugged conditions of frontier lifethe competition was toughit's a tough lifeit was a tough jobToughadjective
physically toughened;
the tough bottoms of his feetToughadjective
substantially made or constructed;
sturdy steel shelvessturdy canvasa tough all-weather fabricsome plastics are as tough as metalToughadjective
violent and lawless;
the more ruffianly elementtough street gangsToughadjective
feeling physical discomfort or pain (`tough' is occasionally used colloquially for `bad');
my throat feels badshe felt bad all overhe was feeling tough after a restless nightToughadjective
tough to cut or chew
Toughadjective
unfortunate or hard to bear;
had hard lucka tough breakComparison Chart
Tuff | Tough |
It is used for someone or something cool, unique or attractive | It is used to tell about the ability of enduring of someone or something. |
Word Type | |
Slang word. | Formal and informal word. |
What is Tuff?
Tuff is an English language slang word that is used for someone or something cool, unique or attractive, it also prominently refers to the humanely qualities like stubbornness. It is also said that tuff is the slang word for the actual formal and informal word tough, but it doesn’t implies well as it doesn’t refers to the ability or quality of endurance. Although when it is about the well-built strong body the both the words, tough and tuff can be used as that physique is referred as cool or attractive, and at the same time, tough can be used for the physique as a tough workout and endurance leads to that well-built body. Other than that, tuff is a light, porous rock that is formed up due to consolidation of volcanic ash.
What is Tough?
The word tough is used formally and informally in English language. Most similarity it refers to someones or somethings ability to endure. Formally, the word tough is used as an adjective to get a better know about its usage as an adjective, we can divide the usage of tough (adjective) as for living and non-living. In livings the tough refers to the ability to bear and endure hardship and pain, whereas in non-living items it refers to the withstanding or durability of the item without breaking or damaging even upon rough usage under harsh conditions. For instance, we use tough for boots or call them tough boots, it actually refers to their withstanding or durability when even used roughly. Apart from it when we use the word tough for soldier it refers to his/her ability to endure pain or harsh times. When the word tough is used informally, it is used as a noun and the verb. As a noun, it refers to the rough and violent man, whereas as a verb, it refers to the enduring a period of hardship or difficulty.