fluff

1 of 2

noun

ˈfləf How to pronounce fluff (audio)
Synonyms of fluffnext
1
: down entry 7 sense 1
2
: something fluffy
dandelion fluff
3
: something inconsequential
4
: blunder
especially : an actor's lapse of memory

fluff

2 of 2

verb

fluffed; fluffing; fluffs

transitive verb

1
: to make fluffy
fluff the pillows
birds fluffing up their feathers
2
a
: to spoil by a mistake : botch
b
: to deliver badly or forget (one's lines) in a play

intransitive verb

1
: to become fluffy
2
: to make a mistake
especially : to forget or bungle one's lines in a play

Synonyms

Noun

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of fluff in a Sentence

Noun Her sweater was covered with fluff. The movie was pure fluff. Her latest article has the usual fluff about movie stars and gossip.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The Rivals Sports Bar will be selling Blue Velvet Whoopie Pies, and the description of the dessert is simply this: Blue velvet cakes and vanilla fluff. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 20 Mar. 2025 What resonates in my videos is the simplicity—three clear points, no fluff, and a focus on exactly the words to use. — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Verb
The club takes care of pre-stocking your fridge, fluffing your pillows and sheets, and shuttling you to the ski lodge. — Isaac Avilucea, Axios, 21 Mar. 2025 Painting my face and fluffing my hair for my party tonight. — Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fluff

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps blend of flue (fluff) and puff

First Known Use

Noun

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1835, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fluff was in 1790

Rhymes for fluff

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Browse Nearby Words

fluff
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Cite this Entry

“Fluff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluff. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

fluff

1 of 2 noun
ˈfləf How to pronounce fluff (audio)
1
: nap entry 3, down
2
: something fluffy

fluff

2 of 2 verb
: to make or become fluffy

More from Merriam-Webster on fluff

Nglish: Translation of fluff for Spanish Speakers

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