puff

²puff

noun

Definition of PUFF

1

a : an act or instance of puffing : whiff b : a slight explosive sound accompanying a puff c : a perceptible cloud or aura emitted in a puff d : draw 1a

2

: a light round hollow pastry

3

a : a slight swelling : protuberance b : a fluffy mass: as (1) : pouf 2 (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

— puff·i·ness \ˈpə-fē-nəs\ noun

— puffy \ˈpə-fē\ adjective

Examples of PUFF

1. He let me have a puff off his pipe.
2. She took two puffs on her inhaler before going for a run.
3. puffs filled with cream cheese and apricot jam

First Known Use of PUFF

13th century

Related to PUFF

Synonyms: air, breath, breeze, waft, zephyr

Related Words: current, draft, whiff; sea breeze; blast, blow, flurry, gale, headwind, northeaster, norther, northwester, southeaster, southwester, tailwind, westerly, wind; squall, tempest, tornado, windstorm; airflow

Near Antonyms: calm

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