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

Best Walmart Black Friday Fashion Deals Temperatures are falling by the day, which is an excuse to refresh your wardrobe with cold-weather fashion staples like puffer vests, sweatshirts, cardigans, and cozy boots. —Ali Faccenda, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024

There’s nothing like an ultra-warm puffer jacket to keep out the winter chill, and the Aldridge Parka is both a stylish and functional choice at 26 percent off. —Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 28 Nov. 2024

We’re enamored by this faux fur cropped coat that’s $36 (well below its usual $60 price tag), and this cropped puffer jacket that’s marked down to $24. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 27 Nov. 2024

Everlane long puffer, $298 The Funnel-Neck Trench Coat: Banana Republic Italian Melton trench coat, $450 The Fisherman Sweater: Alex Mill Agnes cardigan, $235 Vogue Shopping The insider’s guide to what to shop and how to wear it. —Laura Jackson, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing puffer

• puffer fish

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