How Do You Spell LUFF?

Pronunciation: [lˈʌf] (IPA)

The word "luff" is a nautical term that refers to the action of turning the sail to the windward side in order to slow the boat down. It is spelled with a "u" in the middle, but is pronounced with an "uh" sound as in "love" followed by a "f" sound. The IPA phonetic transcription for "luff" is /lʌf/. The word is commonly used in sailing and boating circles, and its correct spelling and pronunciation are essential for clear communication on the water.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Etymology
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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LUFF Meaning and Definition

  1. Luff is a nautical term with two primary definitions. As a noun, it refers to the forward edge of a sail that is trimmed or adjusted to allow the sail to flap or flutter in the wind. The luff allows sailors to change the angle of the sail to maintain maximum efficiency and speed, especially when sailing against the wind. Additionally, it prevents the sail from stalling by ensuring that wind flows smoothly over its surface.

    Luff also serves as a verb, meaning to steer a sailing vessel closer to the wind, thereby causing the sails to flutter or flap due to a decrease in airflow. This maneuver is commonly used during tacking, a sailing technique where a vessel changes its direction by turning its bow into the wind. By luffing the sails momentarily, sailors can slow down the boat, reduce its momentum, and perform the required turn in a controlled manner.

    Luffing requires precise control and coordination between the helmsman and the crew handling the sail controls. It is crucial in sailing as it allows vessels to navigate against the wind and change their course effectively. The ability to properly luff sails is a fundamental skill for sailors to master, ensuring safe and efficient sailing in various wind conditions.

    Overall, whether as a noun or a verb, luff relates to the control and adjustment of a sail's position in order to optimize sailing performance in different wind directions and angles.

  2. • The act of sailing a ship close to the wind.
    • To turn the head of a ship toward the wind.
    • The part of a ship toward the wind; the weather gage; the foremost edge of a fore-and-aft sail.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for LUFF

Etymology of LUFF

The word "luff" has an etymology rooted in Old Norse and Middle English. It can be traced back to the Old Norse word "lof", which originally meant "palm of the hand" or "palm of a sail", referring to the part of a sail where the wind fills it. In Middle English, it evolved into "loof" or "loofe", still referring to the part of a sail. Over time, it transformed into "luff" and began to be used specifically to describe turning the ship's bow into the wind, which causes the sails to flap and lose power. Nowadays, "luff" is commonly used in sailing to refer to the steering technique of turning the bow into the wind to reduce the force on the sails.

Similar spelling words for LUFF

Plural form of LUFF is LUFFS

Conjugate verb Luff

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have luffed
you would have luffed
he/she/it would have luffed
we would have luffed
they would have luffed
I would have luff
you would have luff
he/she/it would have luff
we would have luff
they would have luff

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been luffing
you would have been luffing
he/she/it would have been luffing
we would have been luffing
they would have been luffing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would luff
you would luff
he/she/it would luff
we would luff
they would luff

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be luffing
you would be luffing
he/she/it would be luffing
we would be luffing
they would be luffing

FUTURE

I will luff
you will luff
he/she/it will luff
we will luff
they will luff

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be luffing
you will be luffing
he/she/it will be luffing
we will be luffing
they will be luffing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have luffed
you will have luffed
he/she/it will have luffed
we will have luffed
they will have luffed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been luffing
you will have been luffing
he/she/it will have been luffing
we will have been luffing
they will have been luffing

IMPERATIVE

you luff
we let´s luff

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to luff

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was luffing
you were luffing
he/she/it was luffing
we were luffing
they were luffing

PAST PARTICIPLE

luffed

PAST PERFECT

I had luffed
you had luffed
he/she/it had luffed
we had luffed
they had luffed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been luffing
you had been luffing
he/she/it had been luffing
we had been luffing
they had been luffing

PRESENT

I luff
you luff
he/she/it luffs
we luff
they luff

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am luffing
you are luffing
he/she/it is luffing
we are luffing
they are luffing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

luffing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have luffed
you have luffed
he/she/it has luffed
we have luffed
they have luffed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been luffing
you have been luffing
he/she/it has been luffing
we have been luffing
they have been luffing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it luff

SIMPLE PAST

I luffed
you luffed
he/she/it luffed
we luffed
they luffed

Infographic

Correct spelling for luff
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