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jeff

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Jeff¹

  • /d͡ʒɛf/

Sounds like Geoff · Rhymes with -ɛf

Where it comes from

From Jeffrey, a variant of Geoffrey, from Middle English Geffrey, from an Old French aristocratic name, Geoffroi [dʒɔfreʲ] (> West Middle French Geoffrey, East Middle French Geoffroy), itself from Proto-French forms (latinized in -us) Jotfredus, Jozsfredus, Josfredus (10th century) and Jof[f]redus, Jofridus, Jaufredus, Geffredus (11th century), and ultimately of Proto-Germanic origin. The second element is *friþuz (“peace, sanctuary”). The first element may be *gautaz (“a Geat, a Goth”) [making the Proto-Germanic term *Gautafriþu], as opposed to *gōdaz (“good”) or *gudą (“god”) in Godfrey; this would also make it related to Jocelyn. The name was introduced to England by the Normans in the 11th century.

proper noun Jeffs

  1. A diminutive of the male given names Jeffrey, Jeffery, Jefferey, Jeffry, and Jefferson. We have Jeff. Jeff will be fired. We will exterminate Jeff.

    Similar: Geoff

  2. A surname.

jeff²

Where it comes from

1837.

verb jeffs · jeffing · jeffed

  1. intransitive, slang To play or gamble with em quads, throwing them as dice.

noun jeffs

  1. slang A rope.
  2. dated, derogatory, slang A white person; a white Southerner.

    Similar: Jeff Davis

Thesaurus

Closest in meaning: geoff, dave, jorge, andré, geoffrey, jeffrey, jim, juan, guy, jefferson, marc, gif, cab, lynn, enrique, humberto

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Cite this
MLA

"jeff." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/jeff. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

jeff. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/jeff

Chicago

"jeff." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/jeff.

BibTeX
@misc{jeff_2026,
  title = {jeff},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/jeff},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}