pouf
pouf Lexical Profile
pouf Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large, firm, cushioned pad or low upholstered stool without a back or arms, used as a seat or footstool.
"She rested her tired feet on the leather pouf in front of the armchair."
A high, rounded, puffed-out arrangement of hair, or a gathered puff of fabric on a dress or skirt.
"The bride styled her hair in an elegant pouf held in place with pearl pins."
A ball of gathered mesh or netting used as a sponge for applying soap and lathering the body in the shower or bath.
"She squeezed a drop of lavender body wash onto the mesh pouf."
• verb
To arrange or fluff hair or fabric into a soft, rounded, puffed-out shape.
"The stylist poufed the sleeves of the gown to give the silhouette more volume."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often spelled 'pouffe' in British English when referring to the cushioned footstool. In British, Australian, and New Zealand English, 'pouf' (more commonly spelled 'poof') also exists as a derogatory slang term for an effeminate or gay man, so speakers in those regions frequently favor 'ottoman' or 'footstool' to avoid unintended offense.
• Rhymes for pouf
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 18th century from French pouf, an onomatopoeic word imitating the sound of a puff of air or something soft and puffed out.