puffer

noun

puff·​er ˈpə-fər 

plural puffers

1

: any of a family (Tetraodontidae) of chiefly tropical scaleless marine bony fishes which can distend themselves to a globular form and most of which are highly poisonous : puffer fish

2

: a garment (such as a jacket) made of heavy quilted material

Yet this flood of fashion has a downside. … Can you layer a puffer over a suit without looking, well, portly?

—Jacob Gallagher

—often used before another noun

Roche, a slightly unkempt 54-year-old, wore black ski pants, a puffer jacket and sunglasses.

—Irina Aleksander

The new men's look … incorporates sporty items such as hoodies, puffer vests or jackets, camouflage patterns, sneakers, polo shirts and bomber jackets.

—Ray A. Smith

Once destined only for … occasions where highly practical (but often ugly) outerwear is required, the puffer coat has now infiltrated the world of high fashion.

—Otago (New Zealand) Daily Times (online)

These makers seem to be in alignment; the puffer scarf is the practical and stylish answer to frigid weather.

—Rachel Besser

3

: someone or something that puffs

Surrounded by two-pack-a-day cigarette puffers, he was a cigar smoker.

—Russell Baker

When it's wet or humid, lubricate sticky locks with a graphite puffer or talcum.

—Shannon Lush and Jennifer Fleming

Examples of puffer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dress this pair up for fall and winter with a puffer vest or a zip-up jacket for a sporty vibe—or go with a cropped trench coat and ballet flats for a more elevated look. —Jenifer Calle, Glamour, 30 Sep. 2025

For chillier travel days, a hoodie and puffer jacket feature as well. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2025

Earlier this year, the 60-year-old supermodel turned heads at Good Morning America, looking effortlessly cool in a sweatshirt, puffer jacket, Adidas sneakers, and wide-leg jeans that inspired us to reassess our fall denim rotation. —Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025

One in four Japanese people is said to own a Uniqlo puffer jacket. —Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing puffer

• puffer fish

Rhymes for puffer

• buffer
• duffer
• kafir
• rougher
• suffer
• tougher

Kids Definition

puffer

noun

puff·​er ˈpəf-ər 

1

: one that puffs

2

: puffer fish

Medical Definition

puffer

noun

puff·​er ˈpəf-ər 

: puffer fish