puff out
phrasal verb
puffed out; puffing out; puffs out
: to make (something) larger and rounder by filling it with air
She puffed her cheeks out and blew out the candles.
A gust of wind puffed out the boat's sails.
Examples of puff out in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That intense rush as the final whistle blew against Huddersfield Town, Rotherham United et al, invariably followed by the manager or another member of his staff puffing out their cheeks in relief, could certainly be felt through the screen.
—
Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 27 June 2025
Acquaintances from his Mount Vernon days have suggested other provenances, such as Mr. Combs puffing out his chest to enhance his girth.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
When Oliver walks, his chest puffs out slightly as his feet shuffle forward, or bends his knees at right angles in a kind of soft marching motion.
—Vincent Tullo, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Classic facial movements include smacking your lips, doing sucking motions, sticking your tongue out or against the inside of your cheek, grimacing, chewing, puffing out your cheeks and rapidly blinking your eyes, all in uncontrolled manners.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Cole runs to the corner flag, chest still puffed out.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 30 June 2024
There was reason to puff out the chest and believe the organization had cleared the path for him.
—Anthony Slater, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Roger Federer did the same thing to a 140mph delivery from Andy Roddick at the 2007 U.S. Open, sending it back to Roddick’s toes and leading the American to puff out his cheeks.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 8 July 2024
Male turkeys gobble and strut, puffing out their feathers, to impress hens, who yelp and cluck in response.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
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Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 27 June 2025
Acquaintances from his Mount Vernon days have suggested other provenances, such as Mr. Combs puffing out his chest to enhance his girth.
—Ben Sisario, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
When Oliver walks, his chest puffs out slightly as his feet shuffle forward, or bends his knees at right angles in a kind of soft marching motion.
—Vincent Tullo, New York Times, 16 May 2025
Classic facial movements include smacking your lips, doing sucking motions, sticking your tongue out or against the inside of your cheek, grimacing, chewing, puffing out your cheeks and rapidly blinking your eyes, all in uncontrolled manners.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
Cole runs to the corner flag, chest still puffed out.
—Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 30 June 2024
There was reason to puff out the chest and believe the organization had cleared the path for him.
—Anthony Slater, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025
Roger Federer did the same thing to a 140mph delivery from Andy Roddick at the 2007 U.S. Open, sending it back to Roddick’s toes and leading the American to puff out his cheeks.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 8 July 2024
Male turkeys gobble and strut, puffing out their feathers, to impress hens, who yelp and cluck in response.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Puff out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puff%20out. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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