fluff

1 of 2

noun

ˈfləf 

1

: down entry 7 sense 1

2

: something fluffy

dandelion fluff

3

: something inconsequential

The article was pure fluff about celebrities.

4

: blunder

especially : an actor's lapse of memory

fluff

2 of 2

verb

fluffed; fluffing; fluffs

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1

: to become fluffy

2

: to make a mistake

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

Synonyms of fluff

Noun

• fur
• pile

Verb

• fumble
• stumble
• trip
• slip up
• blunder

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

Sandwich them with jam or marshmallow fluff. —Mack Swenson, Southern Living, 4 Dec. 2025

When asked what has changed with the Dolphins after Sunday’s 21-17 nail-biting fourth-quarter win against the New Orleans Saints, inside linebacker Tyrel Dodson cut out the fluff and finally shot it straight to the masses. —Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025

Verb

The girl shook some snow out of her long hair, fluffing up her bangs with her fingers. —Literary Hub, 8 Dec. 2025

Once in the tree stand, remove the netting and fluff the branches. —George Petras, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps blend of flue (fluff) and puff

First Known Use

Noun

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1875, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for fluff

• buff
• cuff
• duff
• gruff
• hough
• huff
• luff
• muff
• puff
• rough
• ruff
• scruff

Kids Definition

fluff

1 of 2 noun

ˈfləf 

1

: nap entry 3, down

2

: something fluffy

fluff

2 of 2 verb

: to make or become fluffy