puff
puff Lexical Profile
puff Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A short, sudden burst or small cloud of breath, wind, smoke, or vapor.
"A sudden puff of wind blew the papers off the desk."
A light, hollow pastry that swells with air during baking and is often filled with cream, custard, or savory ingredients.
"The bakery sells freshly baked cream puffs dusted with powdered sugar."
A soft, rounded pad of down, cotton, or fabric used for applying powder or cosmetics to the skin.
"She used a velvet puff to apply face powder before the performance."
An exaggerated or uncritical piece of praise or publicity, such as an overly flattering review or advertisement.
"The magazine article was criticized as a promotional puff rather than serious journalism."
• verb
To blow or emit air, smoke, or vapor in short, sudden bursts.
"The antique steam locomotive puffed thick white clouds as it climbed the hill."
To breathe heavily, rapidly, and audibly, especially as a result of physical exertion.
"He was puffing after running up four flights of stairs."
To swell, expand, or cause to become distended with air or gas.
"The male bird puffed out its chest feathers to attract a mate."
To praise or advertise with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"The publisher puffed the new novel as the literary event of the decade."
• Rhymes for puff
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English pyffan, meaning 'to breathe out', ultimately of imitative origin representing the sound of a sudden expulsion of air.