English vocabulary · C1
Buffet
/ˈbʌfɪt/ · v.
To buffet something is to hit it again and again with strong force. Wind, waves, or blows keep hitting it from different sides.
Watch the Buffet lessonContinue in the learning app for video lessons and review.
Example sentences
- Waves buffeted the boat.
- The new leader was buffeted by critics.
Word origin and roots
from Anglo-French
- buffeter — strike (from Anglo-French)
Synonyms and nuances
- BATTER — hit hard many times (Repeated Heavy Hits)
- POUND — hit with heavy blows (Strong Regular Blows)
- PUMMEL — strike again and again (Fast Repeated Blows)
Similar words
- batter
- pound
- pummel
- strike
- hammer
Lesson notes
To buffet something is to hit it again and again with strong force. Wind, waves, or blows keep hitting it from different sides.
Related: batter, pound, pummel. Use buffet when force hits again and again.
Waves buffeted the boat. The new leader was buffeted by critics.
From Anglo-French. Buffeter means strike. Middle English used buffeten. Strong hits from all sides can buffet something again and again.