fluffed; fluffing; fluffs
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
1
: to become fluffy
2
: to make a mistake
especially
: to forget or bungle one's lines in a play
Synonyms
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.
Verb
The wind fluffed his hair.
The golfer fluffed another shot.
The actor kept fluffing the same line.
Recent Examples on the Web
Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024
This big ball of fluff is integral to the seasonal celebration.
—Laura Fenton, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024
Within three hours the field beyond her window was an expanse of frozen fluff.
—Molly Young, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
While there may be some high-quality texts in the mix, there’s also a lot of time-wasting fluff.
—Natalie Wexler, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
This material comes from the underside fluff of waterfowl, namely ducks and geese, characterized by a cluster of light filaments around a central quill.
—Brianna Kamienski, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024
And pain the delicious treat with a cup of hot cocoa, jazzed up with a signature marshmallow fluff in vanilla or peppermint.
—Michelle Jenkins, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
Dogs are known as a person’s best friend, and the beloved fluff balls just so happen to be the most popular pet in the United States.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 30 Jan. 2024
Dogs are known as a person’s best friend, and the beloved fluff balls just so happen to be the most popular pet in the United States and are taking the pet industry by storm, but what breeds are typically preferred over others?
—Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Jan. 2024
Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
On the edge of the club’s cavernous main room, Torres fluffed Patrón’s bangs with what looked like a Mason Pearson brush.
—Amanda Fortini, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
In this spring wreath, white tulips are the star of the show, but the faux lamb’s ear does all the work to fill it out and fluff it up.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024
Use a wide spatula to gently turn the rice from the bottom of the pot, and fluff the grains with a fork.
—Emily Horton, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Even after sitting on the vest during a long car trip, the vest fluffed back up to its former shape.
—Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024
Turn off the heat, uncover, and fluff the rice with a fork.
—Sarah Thompson, Saveur, 3 Jan. 2024
To assemble, zip the insert into the cover and fluff up the bean bag.
—Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 25 Nov. 2023
Cleaning experts recommend using fragrance-free soap on pillows and keeping them clean by fluffing them, regularly changing the pillowcases, freshening them up in the dryer, and using removable pillow protectors.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2023
Noun
As the name implies, bunny blonde refers to the shade of a rabbit's soft, sandy fluff, which is never just one allover hue.
—Fiona Embleton, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2024
This big ball of fluff is integral to the seasonal celebration.
—Laura Fenton, Parents, 21 Mar. 2024
Within three hours the field beyond her window was an expanse of frozen fluff.
—Molly Young, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024
While there may be some high-quality texts in the mix, there’s also a lot of time-wasting fluff.
—Natalie Wexler, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024
This material comes from the underside fluff of waterfowl, namely ducks and geese, characterized by a cluster of light filaments around a central quill.
—Brianna Kamienski, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024
And pain the delicious treat with a cup of hot cocoa, jazzed up with a signature marshmallow fluff in vanilla or peppermint.
—Michelle Jenkins, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
Dogs are known as a person’s best friend, and the beloved fluff balls just so happen to be the most popular pet in the United States.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 30 Jan. 2024
Dogs are known as a person’s best friend, and the beloved fluff balls just so happen to be the most popular pet in the United States and are taking the pet industry by storm, but what breeds are typically preferred over others?
—Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Jan. 2024
Verb
Striped Polecats Scream When threatened by other animals, or frequently domestic dogs, the polecat will fluff themselves up and growl and bark.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
On the edge of the club’s cavernous main room, Torres fluffed Patrón’s bangs with what looked like a Mason Pearson brush.
—Amanda Fortini, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024
In this spring wreath, white tulips are the star of the show, but the faux lamb’s ear does all the work to fill it out and fluff it up.
—Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 2024
Use a wide spatula to gently turn the rice from the bottom of the pot, and fluff the grains with a fork.
—Emily Horton, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024
Even after sitting on the vest during a long car trip, the vest fluffed back up to its former shape.
—Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024
Turn off the heat, uncover, and fluff the rice with a fork.
—Sarah Thompson, Saveur, 3 Jan. 2024
To assemble, zip the insert into the cover and fluff up the bean bag.
—Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 25 Nov. 2023
Cleaning experts recommend using fragrance-free soap on pillows and keeping them clean by fluffing them, regularly changing the pillowcases, freshening them up in the dryer, and using removable pillow protectors.
—Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fluff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Articles Related to fluff
Dictionary Entries Near fluff
Cite this Entry
“Fluff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluff. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
fluff
1 of 2 noun1
: nap entry 3, down
2
: something fluffy
fluff
2 of 2 verb
: to make or become fluffy
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