tuft

1 of 2

noun

1
a
: a small cluster of elongated flexible outgrowths attached or close together at the base and free at the opposite ends
especially : a growing bunch of grasses or close-set plants
b
: a bunch of soft fluffy threads cut off short and used as ornament
2
3
: mound
4
: any of the projections of yarns drawn through a fabric or making up a fabric so as to produce a surface of raised loops or cut pile
tufted adjective
tufty adjective

tuft

2 of 2

verb

tufted; tufting; tufts

transitive verb

1
a
: to provide or adorn with a tuft
b
: to make (a fabric) of or with tufts
2
: to make (something, such as a mattress) firm by stitching at intervals and covering the depressions produced on the surface with tufts

intransitive verb

: to form into or grow in tufts
tufter noun

Examples of tuft in a Sentence

Noun A tuft of hair stuck out from under his hat.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Stephanie Foster, 53, of Cornville, Arizona, wore a button with Trump’s image, complete with a tuft of fabric to replicate his hair. Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 13 Oct. 2024 Hairstylist Virginie Moreira parted manes in the middle and knotted the hair with a soft hand, for a not-so-messy bun leaving a tuft free to fall on the nape. Sandra Salibian, WWD, 25 Sep. 2024
Verb
These included residential species like Carolina wrens and tufted titmice, as well as indigo buntings, hooded warblers, and other birds that spend their winters in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Kate Baggaley, Popular Science, 27 May 2020 The mattresses are hand-tufted and made in California. Mariana Zapata, NBC News, 8 May 2020 See all Example Sentences for tuft 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tuft.' 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

Middle English, modification of Middle French touffe, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German zopf tip — more at top entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1535, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tuft was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near tuft

Cite this Entry

“Tuft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tuft. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

tuft

1 of 2 noun
1
: a small cluster of long flexible outgrowths (as of hairs, feathers, or blades of grass) that are attached or close together at the base and free at the opposite end
2
: a bunch of soft fluffy threads cut off short and used as ornament
tufted adjective

tuft

2 of 2 verb
1
: to provide or decorate with a tuft
2
: to make (as upholstery) firm by stitching through the stuffing here and there

Medical Definition

tuft

noun
1
: a small cluster of elongated flexible outgrowths or parts attached or close together at the base and free at the opposite ends
especially : a small bunch of hairs on the body
2
: a branching anatomical structure that resembles a tuft

More from Merriam-Webster on tuft

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