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Definition of poofter

poofter

/ˈpuːftə/
poof · ter
Plural:poofters
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poofter Lexical Profile

poofter Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

British (slang, derogatory, offensive) A gay or effeminate man; by extension, a weak, cowardly, or ineffectual man.

Example

"The novel depicts the harsh realities of 1970s working-class culture, where sensitive boys were routinely mocked and called a poofter by their peers."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for poofter

Word Nuance & Usage

Primarily used in British, Australian, and New Zealand English, this term is a derogatory and offensive slur directed at gay men or used to disparage a man perceived as weak or effeminate.

• Nearby Words

pooch
poodle
poof
poofter
poofy
pooh
pool

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the mid-19th century in Australian and British slang as a derivative of 'poof', which likely originated from the imitative exclamation of blowing air or the French 'pouf' (referring to puffed or padded clothing and hairstyles).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Poofter. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/poofter
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