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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
People Are Reading
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.
Recent Examples of puff from the Web
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Cream Puff This flavor is based on the legendary cream puffs made by German restaurant Schmidt's, a Columbus landmark.
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This ultra-lightweight eye cream has a subtle cooling effect to help de-puff the eye area while leaving it feeling fresh and hydrated.
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The giant dog and his tiny man have had many adventures together around scenic Minnesota – sledding down snowy hills, canoeing on glassy lakes, working farm fields together, even wearing smoking jackets and puffing on pipes.
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Buying, selling, bluffing, puffing, haggling over price -- that’s how the market works.
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Senator Ron Wyden (D–OR) came out with tough questions at first, but backed off once Sessions got indignant and puffed out his chest.
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The Vietnamese puffed rice and chiffonade of shiso add texture for a layered, harmonious slurp.
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The cone is made with only one ingredient — puffed corn — and has the same texture as Corn Pops.
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At King, these chickpea fritters are long, thin tongues that puff up like pommes soufflés and are scented all over by fried sage.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'puff'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of puff
Middle English, from Old English pyffan, of imitative origin
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
Recent Examples of puff from the Web
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Make a simple French fruit tart by using pre-packaged puff pastry as the crust coupled with a variety of fresh stone fruits.
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There was Mariah Carey—the type of standard-issue cream puff most commonly rewarded at this type of event—looking increasingly miffed as 21-year-old Alanis Morissette bounded onstage to receive five awards.
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Areas included are wigs, bras, puffs and prostheses, mammograms and medical bills, food and help with utilities, rent or mortgage, and transportation costs.
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Addyson tried one, two, three puffs, then the flame went out.
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That quick fry puffs up the interior, and gives the pizza a crisp chew.
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Currently, Golden Flake produces more than 200 different sizes and varieties of snacks, including potato chips, tortilla chips, popcorn, pork skins, cheese puffs, cheese curls and more.
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Even the margaritas come topped with ethereal puffs of salt and tequila.
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In the winter, when the air temperature dropped below zero, steam would rise from the lake, shrouding the city in magical puffs of white.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'puff'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
First Known Use of puff
1943
PUFF Defined for English Language Learners
puff
playDefinition 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
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