puffed; puffing; puffs
1
a(1)
: to blow in short gusts
(2)
: to exhale forcibly
b
: to breathe hard : pant
c
: 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
3
a
: to become distended : swell
—usually used with up
b
: to open or appear in or as if in a puff
4
: to form a chromosomal puff
1
1
b
: a slight explosive sound accompanying a puff
c
: a perceptible cloud or aura emitted in a puff
d
2
: a light round hollow pastry
3
a
: a slight swelling : protuberance
b
: a fluffy mass: such as
(1)
(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
: of, relating to, or designed for promotion or flattery
a puff piece in the paper
Examples of puff in a Sentence
Verb
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.
Noun
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 on the Web
James Parker, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2025
Bake at 350°F until puffed and set, about 50 minutes.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Its cuffed puff sleeves, mock neckline, and pleated front give it a polished, sleek look that suits Mondays in the office or Friday nights out.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Katharina Fuchs, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2025
There, Kate wore a dark gray and black plaid dress with puff sleeves, making a statement with a deeper meaning.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puff
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Verb
The original existentialists, all those lovely, gallant, puffing-their-ciggies Parisian men and women, were very happy for everything to be a dilemma.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 23 Sep. 2025
Bake at 350°F until puffed and set, about 50 minutes.
—Sheri Castle, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
The words in question were fist, fast, puff, pass, hiss, mess, less, gas, mass, and class.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
Its cuffed puff sleeves, mock neckline, and pleated front give it a polished, sleek look that suits Mondays in the office or Friday nights out.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
The Princess of Wales was seen recently in a plaid checked midi-dress with a peplum and puff sleeves that is giving me lots of style inspo for the season ahead.
—Katharina Fuchs, Glamour, 15 Sep. 2025
There, Kate wore a dark gray and black plaid dress with puff sleeves, making a statement with a deeper meaning.
—Janine Henni, People.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for puff
Cite this Entry
“Puff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/puff. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
puff
2 of 3 noun1
2
: a light pastry that rises high in baking
3
a
: a slight swelling
b
: a small fluffy pad for applying cosmetic powder
c
: a quilted bed covering
puff
3 of 3 adjective
: of, relating to, or designed for promotion or flattery
a puff piece
Medical Definition
Legal Definition
puff
noun1
: 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
J. J. White and R. S. SummersLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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