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View synonyms for duffer

duffer

[ duhf-er ]

noun

  1. Informal.
    1. a plodding, clumsy, incompetent person.
    2. a person inept or inexperienced at a specific sport, as golf.
  2. Northern and North Midland U.S. an old man, especially a dull or indecisive one.
  3. Slang.
    1. anything inferior, counterfeit, or useless.
    2. a peddler, especially one who sells cheap, flashy goods.


duffer

/ ˈdʌfə /

noun

  1. informal.
    a dull or incompetent person
  2. slang.
    something worthless
  3. dialect.
    a peddler or hawker
  4. slang.
    1. a mine that proves unproductive
    2. a person who steals cattle
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of duffer1

1835–45; perhaps Scots dialect duffar, dowfart “dull, stupid person,” derivative of dowf; duffer def 3 perhaps re-formation with duff 3 + -er 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of duffer1

C19: of uncertain origin
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Example Sentences

Matt and Ross Duffer, the twin creators and showrunners of the Netflix series, said it was Wolfhard’s “authenticity” that won him the role.

He's a kindly old duffer; always doing things for folks and going out of his way to help a neighbor and things like that.

Duffer is most inelegant (this from Julie in an assumption of stern reproach); I do not see wherever you picked up such a word.

There is no false modesty in the confidence with which I esteem myself a duffer, at fishing.

Anyway, you're behaving like a brick to them both, and Ronnie is a deuced old duffer for giving you up.

Harry: I used to think Santa a pretty jolly old duffer, who made lots of sport for the infants, but I'm ready for a change myself.

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