tuft

1 of 2

noun

ˈtəft 

1

a

: a small cluster of elongated flexible outgrowths attached or close together at the base and free at the opposite ends

especially : a growing bunch of grasses or close-set plants

b

: a bunch of soft fluffy threads cut off short and used as ornament

2

: clump, cluster

3

: mound

4

: any of the projections of yarns drawn through a fabric or making up a fabric so as to produce a surface of raised loops or cut pile

tufted

ˈtəf-təd 

adjective

tufty

ˈtəf-tē 

adjective

tuft

2 of 2

verb

tufted; tufting; tufts

transitive verb

1

a

: to provide or adorn with a tuft

b

: to make (a fabric) of or with tufts

2

: to make (something, such as a mattress) firm by stitching at intervals and covering the depressions produced on the surface with tufts

intransitive verb

: to form into or grow in tufts

tufter noun

Examples of tuft in a Sentence

Noun

A tuft of hair stuck out from under his hat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Nestled amid sticks and tufts of soft hair were two endangered Mexican gray wolf pups. —Shaun McKinnon, The Arizona Republic, 4 Nov. 2024

Stephanie Foster, 53, of Cornville, Arizona, wore a button with Trump’s image, complete with a tuft of fabric to replicate his hair. —Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 13 Oct. 2024

Verb

These included residential species like Carolina wrens and tufted titmice, as well as indigo buntings, hooded warblers, and other birds that spend their winters in Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. —Kate Baggaley, Popular Science, 27 May 2020

The mattresses are hand-tufted and made in California. —Mariana Zapata, NBC News, 8 May 2020

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, modification of Middle French touffe, probably of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German zopf tip — more at top entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1535, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

tuft

1 of 2 noun

ˈtəft 

1

: a small cluster of long flexible outgrowths (as of hairs, feathers, or blades of grass) that are attached or close together at the base and free at the opposite end

2

: a bunch of soft fluffy threads cut off short and used as ornament

tufted

ˈtəf-təd 

adjective

tuft

2 of 2 verb

1

: to provide or decorate with a tuft

2

: to make (as upholstery) firm by stitching through the stuffing here and there

Medical Definition

tuft

noun

ˈtəft 

1

: a small cluster of elongated flexible outgrowths or parts attached or close together at the base and free at the opposite ends

especially : a small bunch of hairs on the body

2

: a branching anatomical structure that resembles a tuft