puffer

noun

puff·​er ˈpə-fər 

plural puffers

1

: any of a family (Tetraodontidae) of chiefly tropical scaleless marine bony fishes which can distend themselves to a globular form and most of which are highly poisonous : puffer fish

2

: a garment (such as a jacket) made of heavy quilted material

Yet this flood of fashion has a downside. … Can you layer a puffer over a suit without looking, well, portly?

—Jacob Gallagher

—often used before another noun

Roche, a slightly unkempt 54-year-old, wore black ski pants, a puffer jacket and sunglasses.

—Irina Aleksander

The new men's look … incorporates sporty items such as hoodies, puffer vests or jackets, camouflage patterns, sneakers, polo shirts and bomber jackets.

—Ray A. Smith

Once destined only for … occasions where highly practical (but often ugly) outerwear is required, the puffer coat has now infiltrated the world of high fashion.

—Otago (New Zealand) Daily Times (online)

These makers seem to be in alignment; the puffer scarf is the practical and stylish answer to frigid weather.

—Rachel Besser

3

: someone or something that puffs

Surrounded by two-pack-a-day cigarette puffers, he was a cigar smoker.

—Russell Baker

When it's wet or humid, lubricate sticky locks with a graphite puffer or talcum.

—Shannon Lush and Jennifer Fleming

Examples of puffer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The campaign also highlights the Bretagne jacket, introduced for fall 2025, a short-hooded puffer with a cocooning silhouette. —Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025

The best puffer jackets with trim Be it by way of fluffy trim on a down hoodie or an extra-soft lining, fur and shearling elements make our favorite outerwear extra-toasty. —Alison Syrett Cleary, Glamour, 14 Oct. 2025

Everyone pulled up to the party in cowboy attire, with Drake rocking denim jeans and a top covered by a black puffer vest. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2025

Lightweight Down Packable Puffer Hooded Jacket This water-repellent and wind-resistant puffer jacket is designed to keep you warm in cold climates, but that’s not the only reason to grab it today. —Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 11 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing puffer

• puffer fish

Rhymes for puffer

• buffer
• duffer
• kafir
• rougher
• suffer
• tougher

Kids Definition

puffer

noun

puff·​er ˈpəf-ər 

1

: one that puffs

2

: puffer fish

Medical Definition

puffer

noun

puff·​er ˈpəf-ər 

: puffer fish