puffer

1 of 2

noun

puff·​er ˈpə-fər How to pronounce puffer (audio)
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
: an outerwear garment for the upper body (such as a coat or jacket) that is made of a quilted material filled with down or a synthetic stuffing and that has a puffy appearance
especially : puffer jacket
This basic puffer provides lightweight, insulated warmth, and it packs down into a small, travel-friendly pouch—no flashy logos or overinflated prices, just a solid jacket. Jeff Turbett
A selection of base layers, hoodies, puffers, and other outdoor clothing and accessories are all on sale. Malarie Gokey
Yet this flood of fashion has a downside. … Can you layer a puffer over a suit without looking, well, portly? Jacob Gallagher
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

puffer

2 of 2

adjective

: made from or featuring a quilted material that is filled with down or a synthetic stuffing and that has a puffy appearance
Though the puffer style and high price tag may dissuade you, I think the quality and insulation outweigh these minor drawbacks.Steven John
These makers seem to be in alignment; the puffer scarf is the practical and stylish answer to frigid weather.Rachel Besser
… the newest puffy trend we didn't even know existed: the puffer shoe. Yes, you read that right.Claire Harmeyer
see also puffer jacket

Examples of puffer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Some are seasonally inappropriate—for instance, winter puffers in a city where the temperature rarely falls below 77 degrees Fahrenheit—or cut for oversized Western silhouettes that dwarf the average Ghanaian body. Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 June 2026 Courteney Cox steps out in an a brown and black outfit with a puffer vest in New York City on April 29. Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 4 May 2026 How to Spot Clean a Puffer Jacket No matter what your puffer is filled with, spot cleaning is a safe and easy way to refresh it and is ideal for small stains. Katie Cloyd, Martha Stewart, 22 Apr. 2026 The young men present were dressed in utilitarian T-shirt and jean combos; the women wore tweed blazers, Moncler puffers, leather jackets, and multicolored suede Adidas sneakers. Erin Vanderhoof, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for puffer

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

from attributive use of puffer entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adjective

1975, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of puffer was in 1615

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Puffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puffer. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

puffer

noun
puff·​er ˈpəf-ər How to pronounce puffer (audio)
1
: one that puffs
2

Medical Definition

puffer

noun
puff·​er ˈpəf-ər How to pronounce puffer (audio)

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