Tuff vs. Tough

Main Difference

Tuff 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.

Tuff vs. Tough — Is There a Difference?
ADVERTISEMENT

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.
ADVERTISEMENT

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.
ADVERTISEMENT

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 character

Toughadjective

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 job

Toughadjective

physically toughened;

the tough bottoms of his feet

Toughadjective

substantially made or constructed;

sturdy steel shelvessturdy canvasa tough all-weather fabricsome plastics are as tough as metal

Toughadjective

violent and lawless;

the more ruffianly elementtough street gangs

Toughadjective

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 night

Toughadjective

tough to cut or chew

Toughadjective

unfortunate or hard to bear;

had hard lucka tough break

Comparison Chart

TuffTough
It is used for someone or something cool, unique or attractiveIt 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.