Definition of puff
intransitive verb
1a (1) : to blow in short gusts (2) : to exhale forciblyb : to breathe hard : pantc : to emit small whiffs or clouds (as of smoke) often as an accompaniment to vigorous action puff at a pipe
2 : to speak or act in a scornful, conceited, or exaggerated manner
3a : to become distended : swell —usually used with upb : to open or appear in or as if in a puff
4 : to form a chromosomal puff
transitive verb
1a : to emit, propel, blow, or expel by or as if by puffs : waftb : to draw on (a cigar, cigarette, pipe, etc.) with intermittent exhalations of smoke
2a : to distend with or as if with air or gas : inflateb : to make proud or conceited : elatec (1) : to praise extravagantly and usually with exaggeration authors puffing their own work (2) : advertise
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Examples of puff in a sentence
She sat on the porch puffing on a cigarette.
The chimney puffed white smoke into the sky.
We watched the train puff away on its journey west.
He was puffing and panting from running.
The bikers puffed up the hill.
Origin and Etymology of puff
Middle English, from Old English pyffan, of imitative origin
First Known Use: before 12th century
puff
Definition of puff
1a : an act or instance of puffing : whiffb : a slight explosive sound accompanying a puffc : a perceptible cloud or aura emitted in a puffd : draw 1a
2 : a light round hollow pastry
3a : a slight swelling : protuberanceb : a fluffy mass: such as (1) : pouf 2 (2) : a small fluffy pad for applying cosmetic powder (3) : a soft loose roll of hair (4) : a quilted bed covering
4 : a commendatory or promotional notice or review
5 : an enlarged region of a chromosome that is associated with intensely active genes involved in RNA synthesis
Examples of puff in a sentence
He let me have a puff off his pipe.
She took two puffs on her inhaler before going for a run.
puffs filled with cream cheese and apricot jam
13th Century
First Known Use of puff
13th century
puff
Definition of puff
: of, relating to, or designed for promotion or flattery a puff piece in the paper
1943
First Known Use of puff
1943
PUFF Defined for English Language Learners
Definition of puff for English Language Learners
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: to breathe smoke from a cigarette, pipe, etc., in and out of the lungs
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: to produce or send out small clouds of smoke or steam
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: to move in a particular direction while producing clouds of steam or smoke
puff
Definition of puff for English Language Learners
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: an act of breathing something (such as smoke or medicine) into your lungs
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: a movement of gas, smoke, or air that can be seen or felt
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: a light, round pastry that contains a sweet filling
PUFF Defined for Kids
Definition of puff for Students
1 : a quick short instance of sending or letting out air, smoke, or steam We could see puffs from a locomotive.
2 : a slight swelling
3 : a soft pad for putting powder on the skin
4 : a light pastry
Medical Dictionary
puff
Medical Definition of puff
1: windgall
2: an enlarged region of a chromosome that is associated with intensely active genes involved in RNA synthesis
Law Dictionary
puff
Legal Definition of puff
1 : an act or instance of puffing
2 : a statement that amounts to puffing whether the seller's statement was a “puff” or an express warranty — J. J. White and R. S. Summers
Learn More about puff
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See words that rhyme with puff Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for puff Spanish Central: Translation of puff Nglish: Translation of puff for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of puff for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
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