fluff

1 of 2

noun

ˈfləf 

1

: down entry 7 sense 1

2

: something fluffy

dandelion fluff

3

: something inconsequential

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

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

Before Armani, the Oscars red carpet was a parade of ballgowns and beaded fluff. —Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025

At only a few weeks old, young eaglets were covered in ruffled, brown feathery fluff. —Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 3 Sep. 2025

Verb

After completing the quick tutorial, Harper quickly fluffed her hair and gave the camera a subtle pose before ending the clip. —Kayla Grant, People.com, 22 Aug. 2025

Wilson Isidor’s shot was unthreatening enough but Hermansen’s attempts to push it around his post were fluffed, allowing the ball to bounce tamely into the corner. —The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps blend of flue (fluff) and puff

First Known Use

Noun

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1835, 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