fluff

noun

\ ˈfləf

Definition of fluff

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : down entry 7 sense 1

2 : something fluffy dandelion fluff

3 : something inconsequential

4 : blunder especially : an actor's lapse of memory

fluff

verb

fluffed; fluffing; fluffs

Definition of fluff (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to make fluffy fluff the pillows birds fluffing up their feathers

2a : to spoil by a mistake : botch

b : to deliver badly or forget (one's lines) in a play

intransitive verb

1 : to become fluffy

2 : to make a mistake especially : to forget or bungle one's lines in a play

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about fluff

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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: Noun

To serve, fluff rice and cover with trout, and top with half of the salsa. — Jennifer Rude Klett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Table for 1: For solo diners, cooking at home offers many perks," 12 July 2018 Cook couscous as label directs; fluff with fork and fold in pistachios, apricots, cilantro and scallion. — The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen, Good Housekeeping, "Butternut Squash and White Bean Soup," 3 Jan. 2018 But that was all surface fluff compared to the real story about surveillance and data mining underneath. — Rachel King, Fortune, "Your Summer Reading List: Page-Turning Novels Set in Politics, Finance, and Tech," 6 July 2018 That added focus on customer service might not just be fluff. — Macaela Mackenzie, Allure, "Study Finds Online Reviews for Plastic Surgeons Might Be Misleading," 7 May 2018 Just in time, as the last sweets from the bottom of those Easter baskets are gone, the Jefferson Performing Arts Society offers audiences a giant marshmallow fluff of a show that is certain to please. — Theodore P. Mahne, NOLA.com, "JPAS premieres 'Catch Me If You Can,' a criminally enjoyable hit," 17 Apr. 2018 The theme of undermining and dismissing women’s magazines as useless fluff is nothing new, either. — Michelle Ruiz, Vogue, "Dear Walmart, Pulling Cosmopolitan From Your Checkout Lines Has Nothing to Do With #MeToo," 28 Mar. 2018 Ward said helping Ted shed his fluff will require about 75 percent focus on his diet and 25 percent on exercise. — Maggie Gordon, Houston Chronicle, "More than half of American dogs are overweight. Including mine, apparently.," 9 July 2018 Sandwich marshmallow fluff in between cookies and dip in chocolate for a Mallomar-esque treat. — Alyse Whitney, Bon Appetit, "17 Ways to Use Nilla Wafers in Almost Every Summer Dessert," 18 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

On 73 minutes Bjarnason fluffed a close-range opportunity but Iceland's lifeline arrived a minute later when Dejan Lovren handled a cross by Sigurdsson in the penalty area. — Peter Murphy, chicagotribune.com, "Iceland crash out of World Cup after Croatia loss," 26 June 2018 In 1831, French sociologist Alexis de Tocqueville came to the United States, that fledgling nation fluffing its wings, to observe its penal system. — Linda Rodriguez Mcrobbie, BostonGlobe.com, "Don’t get too comfortable: America’s relentless pursuit of convenience and relaxation," 19 May 2018 Mats Hummels was the latest player to fluff his lines after latching on to a ball around the six-yard box. — Nathan Hilditch, Pro Soccer USA, "South Korea 2-0 Germany: Champions curse strikes again as Germany exits World Cup," 27 June 2018 Stefan Johansen fluffed his lines on his weaker foot after Fulham were gifted a chance at goal, while Aboubakar Kamara was unsuccessful with a tame penalty following a challenge from Alan Hutton. — SI.com, "Aston Villa 0-1 Fulham: 10-Man Cottagers Secure Promotion as Captain Cairney Settles Play-Off Final," 26 May 2018 Be sure to have your rooms properly lit with soft lighting; place scented candles in every room; fluff your down pillows on chairs and sofas; have a drink, relax, and greet your guests with a big smile. — Tinsley Mortimer, Town & Country, "Tinsley Mortimer's Guide to Hosting Like a Socialite," 3 May 2017 Because there is much more sugar than butter, the mixture will not fluff up very much, but it should be fully incorporated. — Becky Krystal, Houston Chronicle, "This classic coffee cake is what good mornings are made of," 18 June 2018 Cynics might even suspect the boomlet is fluffed by pollsters and consultants hoping to get into his pockets. — Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, "Starbucks Chief Won’t Stay Hot," 5 June 2018 Put to work sweeping the deck of the tank hold but later fluffed off. — Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press, "Service Diary of a Corpsman: Roy L. Wall, LST 509," 28 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fluff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.