puffed; puffing; puffs
1
a(1)
: to blow in short gusts
(2)
: to exhale forcibly
b
: to breathe hard : pant
c
: to emit small whiffs or clouds (as of smoke) often as an accompaniment to vigorous action
puff at a pipe
2
: to speak or act in a scornful, conceited, or exaggerated manner
3
a
: to become distended : swell
—usually used with up
b
: to open or appear in or as if in a puff
4
: to form a chromosomal puff
1
1
b
: a slight explosive sound accompanying a puff
c
: a perceptible cloud or aura emitted in a puff
d
2
: a light round hollow pastry
3
a
: a slight swelling : protuberance
b
: a fluffy mass: such as
(1)
(2)
: a small fluffy pad for applying cosmetic powder
(3)
: a soft loose roll of hair
(4)
: a quilted bed covering
4
: a commendatory or promotional notice or review
5
: an enlarged region of a chromosome that is associated with intensely active genes involved in RNA synthesis
: of, relating to, or designed for promotion or flattery
a puff piece in the paper
Examples of puff in a Sentence
Verb
She sat on the porch puffing on a cigarette.
The chimney puffed white smoke into the sky.
We watched the train puff away on its journey west.
He was puffing and panting from running.
The bikers puffed up the hill.
Noun
He let me have a puff off his pipe.
She took two puffs on her inhaler before going for a run.
puffs filled with cream cheese and apricot jam
Recent Examples on the Web
Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Most players on the list below are attacking wingers or centre-forwards, showing how much Bellingham, often viewed as a midfielder, has puffed his chest out to be the game-changer when his team require it.
—Mark Carey, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
Loose Bun or Puff A not-too-tight bun or puff is a good choice to keep your hair off your neck on hot days.
—Ava Erickson, Outside Online, 22 Feb. 2025
Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025
Darkness was also conveyed through the creation of black-hued dresses with puff sleeve details and mini dresses with a dramatic peplum detail along with crystals hanging from the hem, like a chandelier.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puff
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Verb
From bulbous shoes with upturned vamps to pleated pants puffed away from the body, the collection’s doll-like garments took on a larger-than-life feel.
—Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Most players on the list below are attacking wingers or centre-forwards, showing how much Bellingham, often viewed as a midfielder, has puffed his chest out to be the game-changer when his team require it.
—Mark Carey, The Athletic, 18 Feb. 2025
Noun
Now, here’s where the cannabis comes in handy: take a puff of a sativa strain like Sour Diesel or Green Crack (both known for their energizing and focused effects) and start sorting.
—Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025
Loose Bun or Puff A not-too-tight bun or puff is a good choice to keep your hair off your neck on hot days.
—Ava Erickson, Outside Online, 22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
Perhaps jt was the excitement that made the man puff so.
—Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025
Darkness was also conveyed through the creation of black-hued dresses with puff sleeve details and mini dresses with a dramatic peplum detail along with crystals hanging from the hem, like a chandelier.
—Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puff
Cite this Entry
“Puff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puff. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
puff
2 of 3 noun1
2
: a light pastry that rises high in baking
3
a
: a slight swelling
b
: a small fluffy pad for applying cosmetic powder
c
: a quilted bed covering
puff
3 of 3 adjective
: of, relating to, or designed for promotion or flattery
a puff piece
Medical Definition
Legal Definition
puff
noun1
: an act or instance of puffing
2
: a statement that amounts to puffing
whether the seller's statement was a “puff” or an express warranty—J. J. White and R. S. Summers
J. J. White and R. S. SummersLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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