puff

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable) A sharp exhalation of a small amount of breath through the mouth.
2. (uncountable) The ability to breathe easily while exerting oneself.
3. (countable) A small quantity of gas or smoke in the air.
4. (countable) A sudden but small gust of wind, smoke, etc.
5. (countable, informal) An act of inhaling smoke from a cigarette, cigar or pipe.
6. (slang, uncountable) The drug cannabis.
7. (countable) A flamboyant or alluring statement of praise.
8. (countable, uncountable) A portion of fabric gathered up so as to be left full in the middle.
9. (countable) A light cake filled with cream, cream cheese, etc.
10. (countable, uncountable) A puffball.
11. (countable, uncountable) A powder puff.
12. (countable, dated, slang, uncountable) A puffer, one who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold at auction to bid up the price; an act or scam of that type.
13. (countable, uncountable) A region of a chromosome exhibiting a local increase in diameter.
14. (UK, countable, dated, slang, uncountable) Life.
15. (Northern-England, countable, derogatory, slang, uncountable) Synonym of poof: a gay man; especially one who is effeminate.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To emit smoke, gas, etc., in puffs.
2. (intransitive) To pant.
3. (archaic, transitive) To advertise.
4. To blow as an expression of scorn.
5. To swell with air; to be dilated or inflated.
6. To breathe in a swelling, inflated, or pompous manner; hence, to assume importance.
7. To drive with a puff, or with puffs.
8. To repel with words; to blow at contemptuously.
9. To cause to swell or dilate; to inflate.
10. To inflate with pride, flattery, self-esteem, etc.; often with up.
11. To praise with exaggeration; to flatter; to call public attention to by praises; to praise unduly.

Synonyms

blow

whiff

breath

smoke

pant

swell

waft

drag

gust

blast

puff up

quilt

pouf

inhale

huff

puffery

suck

blow up

pouffe

powderpuff

gasp

blowing

breathe heavily

be puffed up

tone

bloat

swelling

chuff

comfort

comforter

exhale

suck in

take in

puff of air

pull

puffed

puff out

breeze

draw

powder puff

snort

life

inflate

ottoman

distend

hassock

advertise

bulge

heave

cake

🍰

Translations

bouffée

bocanada

poef

soplo

soffio

souffler

pof

sbuffo

enfler

pusten

alito

bignè

φύσημα

boccata

tirer

Pronounced as (IPA)

/pʌf/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: puff

Inherited from Old English: pyf

Cognate with Middle Low German: puf

Inherited from Middle English: puffen

Inherited from Old English: pyffan

Cognate with Dutch: puffen

Cognate with German: puffen

Cognate with Danish: puffe

Cognate with Swedish: puffa

In summary

From Middle English puff, puf, from Old English pyf (“a blast of wind, puff”), imitative. Cognate with Middle Low German puf, pof.