Toff

/tɑːf/
noun

A wealthy or upper-class person who is often stylishly dressed and seen as a bit superior.

He considers himself a bit of a toff, always dressed in designer brands.
Visual representation of "toff" - A wealthy or upper-class person who is often stylishly dressed and seen as a bit superior.

Often appears as...

  • posh toff
  • old toff

Usage tips

Informal, Disapproving

Colloquial

noun

A wealthy or upper-class person who is often stylishly dressed and seen as a bit superior.

He considers himself a bit of a toff, always dressed in designer brands.
Visual representation of "toff" - A wealthy or upper-class person who is often stylishly dressed and seen as a bit superior.

Often appears as...

  • posh toff
  • old toff

Usage tips

Informal, Disapproving

Colloquial

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "toff"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Social Stereotype

Toff often implies stereotyped traits of the upper class, not just wealth, such as being out of touch with ordinary people.

Illustration for Social Stereotype
That toff has never even set foot in a supermarket!
LampPro Tip 2/3

Mildly Derogatory

'Toff' can be used humorously or slightly insulting to suggest someone is overly posh or snobbish.

Illustration for Mildly Derogatory
He's acting like a toff, scoffing at our department store clothes.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Colloquial UK

'Toff' is common in British English and might not be understood or used in the same way elsewhere.

Illustration for Colloquial UK
In the UK, the party was said to be full of toffs.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Social Stereotype

Toff often implies stereotyped traits of the upper class, not just wealth, such as being out of touch with ordinary people.

Illustration for Social Stereotype
That toff has never even set foot in a supermarket!
LampPro Tip 2/3

Mildly Derogatory

'Toff' can be used humorously or slightly insulting to suggest someone is overly posh or snobbish.

Illustration for Mildly Derogatory
He's acting like a toff, scoffing at our department store clothes.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Colloquial UK

'Toff' is common in British English and might not be understood or used in the same way elsewhere.

Illustration for Colloquial UK
In the UK, the party was said to be full of toffs.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Social Stereotype

Toff often implies stereotyped traits of the upper class, not just wealth, such as being out of touch with ordinary people.

Illustration for Social Stereotype
That toff has never even set foot in a supermarket!
LampPro Tip 2/3

Mildly Derogatory

'Toff' can be used humorously or slightly insulting to suggest someone is overly posh or snobbish.

Illustration for Mildly Derogatory
He's acting like a toff, scoffing at our department store clothes.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Colloquial UK

'Toff' is common in British English and might not be understood or used in the same way elsewhere.

Illustration for Colloquial UK
In the UK, the party was said to be full of toffs.
Visual representation of the word "Toff"

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Quote examples

Peter York

British Journalist

There was a time when formal clothes were one of life's great pleasures, as well as a way of describing instantly a man's status wealth. Toffs wore the most, the proles the least. Fast forward to 2008 and clothes are still an unrivalled pleasure but some men - and this includes many of our betters - have confused status with fake informality.
Portrait of Peter York

Quote examples

Vinnie Jones

British Actor

I'm a Conservative, but I talk for the ordinary working classes. I get on with the boys at the pub, but I can also mix with Prince Andrew. I understand both levels. The toffs haven't lived in council estates; they've just known big mansions. How can they understand how the postman feels? I would never say no to becoming an MP.
Portrait of Vinnie Jones

Quote examples

Victoria Coren Mitchell

English Writer

The truth is, I feel sorry for the Old Etonians. Everybody should be judged on his or her own merits. Assuming that toffs are 'out of touch' is more modern and fashionable than assuming they have a 'natural fitness for government,' but it's no fairer.
Portrait of Victoria Coren Mitchell

Quote examples

Mary Beard

What interests me is the idea that classics is actually quite democratic. It isn't only the toff, upper-class subject it's often thought to be. Every generation enjoys rediscovering it.
Portrait of Mary Beard

Quote examples

Honeysuckle Weeks

British Actress

If you live in the countryside, you understand that hunting isn't just for toffs. It's for the farmers. It's for everyone's enjoyment.
Portrait of Honeysuckle Weeks

Quote examples

Peter York

British Journalist

London clubland divides itself between the St James's refuge for toffs, and the Conquest of Cool, for the arts and media.
Portrait of Peter York

Quote examples

Marco Pierre White

British Chef

I like a nice cross section of society in my restaurants - the stars, the toffs, the working guy.
Portrait of Marco Pierre White

Quote examples

Lenny Henry

British Actor

Shakespeare is for everybody, not just for toffs with a cauliflower down their tights.
Portrait of Lenny Henry

Quote examples

Jim Broadbent

American Actor

It's funny how a film about a murderous old English toff can help you.
Portrait of Jim Broadbent

Quote examples

Samuel West

British Actor

I usually play toffs and soldiers, with a sideline in mass murderers.
Portrait of Samuel West

Quote examples

Peter York

British Journalist

There was a time when formal clothes were one of life's great pleasures, as well as a way of describing instantly a man's status wealth. Toffs wore the most, the proles the least. Fast forward to 2008 and clothes are still an unrivalled pleasure but some men - and this includes many of our betters - have confused status with fake informality.
Portrait of Peter York

Quote examples

Vinnie Jones

British Actor

I'm a Conservative, but I talk for the ordinary working classes. I get on with the boys at the pub, but I can also mix with Prince Andrew. I understand both levels. The toffs haven't lived in council estates; they've just known big mansions. How can they understand how the postman feels? I would never say no to becoming an MP.
Portrait of Vinnie Jones

Quote examples

Victoria Coren Mitchell

English Writer

The truth is, I feel sorry for the Old Etonians. Everybody should be judged on his or her own merits. Assuming that toffs are 'out of touch' is more modern and fashionable than assuming they have a 'natural fitness for government,' but it's no fairer.
Portrait of Victoria Coren Mitchell

Quote examples

Mary Beard

What interests me is the idea that classics is actually quite democratic. It isn't only the toff, upper-class subject it's often thought to be. Every generation enjoys rediscovering it.
Portrait of Mary Beard

Quote examples

Honeysuckle Weeks

British Actress

If you live in the countryside, you understand that hunting isn't just for toffs. It's for the farmers. It's for everyone's enjoyment.
Portrait of Honeysuckle Weeks

Quote examples

Peter York

British Journalist

London clubland divides itself between the St James's refuge for toffs, and the Conquest of Cool, for the arts and media.
Portrait of Peter York

Quote examples

Marco Pierre White

British Chef

I like a nice cross section of society in my restaurants - the stars, the toffs, the working guy.
Portrait of Marco Pierre White

Quote examples

Lenny Henry

British Actor

Shakespeare is for everybody, not just for toffs with a cauliflower down their tights.
Portrait of Lenny Henry

Quote examples

Jim Broadbent

American Actor

It's funny how a film about a murderous old English toff can help you.
Portrait of Jim Broadbent

Quote examples

Samuel West

British Actor

I usually play toffs and soldiers, with a sideline in mass murderers.
Portrait of Samuel West
Example 1 of 10
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