Uncuffed

Uncuffed is an adjective that can have several related, but distinct, meanings depending on the context. The most common sense refers to someone who is not wearing handcuffs or other restraints, typically in a law enforcement or custody context. In this sense, an “uncuffed” person is not restrained at the wrists and is not in the immediate process of being in custody. The term can also describe the absence of cuffs in clothing or accessories, such as garments whose cuffs are not present or not folded into a cuffed style, though this use is less common than the restraint sense.

Etymology and form: Uncuffed is formed by adding the prefix un- to cuff, where cuff refers to a constraining device (handcuffs) or to the end of a sleeve or pant leg in clothing. The standard, more formal alternative in many contexts is unhandcuffed or simply not restrained, but uncuffed appears in everyday speech and reporting as a shorthand description of the absence of restraints.

Usage notes: In formal law enforcement or legal writing, more precise terms such as unrestrained, handcuffs removed, or released may be preferred over uncuffed. In fashion or textiles, uncuffed can describe garments lacking cuffs, though terms like “uncuffed sleeves” or “un-cuffed jeans” are relatively uncommon and may be clarified by context. The word is typically used descriptively rather than prescriptively, and its meaning is usually clear from surrounding information about custody status or garment style.

See also: handcuffs, cuff, unrestrained, unhandcuffed.