Quaff vs. Coif — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
Quaff means to drink heartily; coif is a hairstyle or the act of styling hair.
Difference Between Quaff and Coif
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Quaff is used to describe the act of drinking something deeply and eagerly. Coif, however, is related to hair, specifically the style in which one's hair is done. While quaff is usually a verb, coif can be both a noun and a verb, depending on whether one is referring to the hairstyle itself or the action of styling.
One may quaff a pint of beer with gusto after a long day, suggesting a hearty, robust drink. To coif, on the other hand, would be to arrange or style one's hair, often implying some care or skill is involved. Quaffing is often associated with celebration or thirst, whereas coifing is an everyday necessity or part of grooming.
A medieval knight might have quaffed his mead from a goblet. In contrast, he would wear a coif as part of his chainmail armor, which is also a close-fitting cap. Here, quaff refers to a historic drinking practice, while coif relates to an article of protective clothing, showing the breadth of historical context each word encompasses.
A person might quaff a drink quickly due to extreme thirst, which emphasizes the speed and volume of drinking. To coif could imply a meticulous process, such as setting hair in rollers overnight. Quaff often implies a lack of restraint, while coif suggests attention to detail and presentation.
Celebratory toasts often invite guests to quaff champagne, making it a social activity. Meanwhile, a person might visit a salon to have their hair coifed for a special occasion. Thus, quaffing can be a communal activity, whereas coifing is typically a personal grooming practice or service rendered by a professional.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb (primarily)
Noun and Verb
Associated With
Drinking
Hairstyling
Contextual Use
Social, celebratory
Personal grooming, fashion
Historical Use
Drinking practices
Hairstyle, protective headgear
Common Collocations
Quaff a drink, quaff ale
Coif your hair, a neat coif
Compare with Definitions
Quaff
Swig vigorously
After mowing the lawn, he quaffed a tall glass of iced tea.
Coif
To style hair
She coifed her hair into an elaborate updo.
Quaff
To drink deeply
She quaffed her coffee before heading out.
Coif
To arrange tresses
For the wedding, the bride's hair was coifed with flowers.
Quaff
To gulp down a beverage
He quaffed the lemonade in one long draught.
Coif
A close-fitting cap
The knight's coif was made of chainmail.
Quaff
Consume heartily
At the banquet, guests quaffed wine lavishly.
Coif
A coif is a close fitting cap worn by both men and women that covers the top, back, and sides of the head.
Quaff
Drink (something, especially an alcoholic drink) heartily
He quaffed pint after pint of good Berkshire ale
Coif
(also kwäf) A coiffure.
Quaff
An alcoholic drink
Porter is a dark, malty quaff
Coif
A tight-fitting cap that covers the top, back, and sides of the head and is now often worn under a veil, as by nuns.
Quaff
To drink (a beverage) heartily
Quaffed the ale with gusto.
Coif
A white skullcap formerly worn by English lawyers.
Quaff
To drink a liquid heartily
Quaffed from the spring.
Coif
A hood of chain mail or other heavy material, usually worn under a helmet.
Quaff
A hearty draft of liquid.
Coif
A cervellière.
Quaff
To drink or imbibe with vigour or relish; to drink copiously; to swallow in large draughts.
I can't believe you quaffed four pints of beer and could still drive!
Coif
(also kwäf) To arrange or dress (the hair).
Quaff
The act of quaffing; a deep draught.
Coif
To cover with or as if with a coif.
Quaff
To drink with relish; to drink copiously of; to swallow in large draughts.
They eat, they drink, and in communion sweetQuaff immortality and joy.
Coif
A hairdo.
Quaff
To drink largely or luxuriously.
Twelve days the gods their solemn revels keep,And quaff with blameless Ethiops in the deep.
Coif
(historical) A hood; a close-fitting cap covering much of the head, widespread until the 18th century; after that worn only by small children and country women.
Quaff
A hearty draft
Coif
(historical) A similar item of chain mail headgear covering the head.
Quaff
To swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught;
The men gulped down their beers
Coif
An official headdress, such as that worn by certain judges in England.
Quaff
Drink with enjoyment
The travelers quaffed the cool water from the spring.
Coif
(transitive) To style or arrange hair.
Coif
A cap.
From point and saucy ermine downTo the plain coif and russet gown.
The judges, . . . althout they are not of the first magnitude, nor need be of the degree of the coif, yet are they considerable.
Coif
A coiffure.
Coif
To cover or dress with, or as with, a coif.
And coif me, where I'm bald, with flowers.
Coif
A skullcap worn by nuns under a veil or by soldiers under a hood of mail or formerly by British sergeants-at-law
Coif
Cover with a coif
Coif
Arrange attractively;
Dress my hair for the wedding
Coif
A hairstyle
Her coif was elegant and suited the evening gown perfectly.
Coif
Hair arrangement
He admired his neatly coifed beard in the mirror.
Common Curiosities
Is coif outdated in fashion terms?
No, it's still used to describe neat hairstyles.
Can you use quaff in a formal setting?
It's more casual, but it can be used formally in a playful tone.
What does it mean to quaff a beer?
It means to drink beer heartily.
Does coif have any protective meanings?
Historically, yes, as in a knight's chainmail coif.
Can coif refer to men’s hair?
Yes, coif is unisex.
Do you quaff slowly or quickly?
Quaffing usually implies quick drinking.
What tools are used to coif hair?
Brushes, combs, hair products, and sometimes hot tools.
Is quaffing always about alcohol?
No, one can quaff any drink.
Can coif be done at home?
Yes, one can coif their own hair.
Is quaff a positive or negative term?
It's usually positive, associated with enjoyment.
Can animals have a coif?
In a playful sense, yes, for groomed pets.
Is it correct to say "quaff water"?
Yes, if one drinks it eagerly.
Does quaffing involve eating?
No, it's strictly related to drinking.
Is a coif only for special occasions?
No, it can be for everyday style as well.
What's the opposite of quaff?
To sip cautiously or to abstain from drinking.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
