rebuff

/ɹɪˈbʌf/

//ɹɪˈbʌf// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"rebuff" is a 6-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“rebuff” is uncommon English (frequency #63,931 among 21,470 “R” headwords), classed as a noun. The kind of spelling people second-guess.

#63,931
frequency rank, English
21,470
“R” headwords

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A sudden resistance or refusal.

Key facts for rebuff
PropertyValue
Headwordrebuff
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ɹɪˈbʌf/
Letters6
Frequency rank#63,931
Misspellings tracked0
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “rebuff” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). rebuff lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Rare enough to double-check

rebuff is uncommon English at frequency #63,931 among 21,470 “R” headwords, classed as anoun, transcribed /ɹɪˈbʌf/. Rarity is why readers land here mid-draft. 2 senses are on record.

We couldn't generate a plausible misspelling set for rebuff, typically a sign the spelling maps closely to how the word sounds. We don't track a confusable pairing for this entry, since no other headword is close enough in sound or shape to pair with it.

Etymologically, the entry records: From obsolete French rebuffer, from Middle French rebuffer (compare French rebiffer (“to rise up, revolt”)), from Italian ribuffare. The correct English form is rebuff, spelled R-E-B-U-F-F.

Definition

  1. 1
    A sudden resistance or refusal.
  2. 2
    Repercussion, or beating back.

Etymology

From obsolete French rebuffer, from Middle French rebuffer (compare French rebiffer (“to rise up, revolt”)), from Italian ribuffare.

This word in other languages

rechazo(Español)rebuffade(Français)Abfuhr(Deutsch)

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "rebuff"?
"rebuff" is spelled R-E-B-U-F-F. The IPA pronunciation is /ɹɪˈbʌf/.
What does "rebuff" mean?
As a noun, "rebuff" means: A sudden resistance or refusal.
How do you pronounce "rebuff"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "rebuff" is /ɹɪˈbʌf/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "rebuff"?
From obsolete French rebuffer, from Middle French rebuffer (compare French rebiffer (“to rise up, revolt”)), from Italian ribuffare. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “rebuff”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is R-E-B-U-F-F - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ɹɪˈbʌf/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Other uncommon English words near this rank

Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list