← BackshareGuessgruffy/ˈɡrʌfi/adjectiveSomewhat gruff; having a slightly rough or unfriendly quality (less common variant of gruffish).His gruffy tone made the conversation awkward at first.The gruffy old cat hissed at everyone who came near.She had a gruffy exterior but a soft heart.SynonymsgruffgruffishAntonymsgentle