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1. Dictionary

   puff

   /pʌf/

   noun

   • 1. a short, explosive burst of breath or wind: "a puff of wind swung the weathercock round" Similar gustblastrushsquallgalewhiffbreathflurrydraughtwaftbreezeblowliterary:zephyr
   • ▪ the sound of air or vapour escaping suddenly: "the whistle and puff of steam"
   • ▪ a small quantity of vapour or smoke, emitted in one blast: "the fire breathed out a puff of blue smoke"
   • ▪ an act of drawing quickly on a pipe, cigarette, or cigar: "he took a puff of his cigar" Similar pullinformal:drag
   • ▪ breath: informal British "after a chase of over three miles he had finally run out of puff"
   • 2. a light pastry case, typically one made of puff pastry, containing a sweet or savoury filling: "a jam puff"
   • 3. a review of a work of art, book, or theatrical production, especially an excessively complimentary one: informal "the publishers sent him a copy of the book hoping for a puff" Similar favourable mentionpiece of publicityfavourable reviewadvertisementpromotionrecommendationcommendationmentiongood wordcommercialinformal:pushadboostadvert
   • ▪ an advertisement, especially one exaggerating the value of the goods advertised: British "the distinction between a trader's puff and a statement having legal significance is a fine one" Similar publicityadvertisingpromotionmarketingpropagandapushpufferybuild-upboostingpatterlinepitchsales talkpresentationinformal:spielhypeballyhoo
   • 4. a gathered mass of material in a dress or other garment.
   • ▪ a rolled protuberant mass of hair: "her hair was drawn up into a series of padded puffs and curves"
   • ▪ an eiderdown: North American "the snowy beds were piled with plump pillows and puffs"
   • 5. a powder puff: "she sent her a box of dusting powder with a swansdown puff"

   verb

   • 1. breathe in repeated short gasps: "exercises that make you puff" Similar breathe heavilybreathe loudly/rapidly/quicklypantpuff and pantpuff and blowblowgaspfight for breathcatch one's breath
   • ▪ move with short, noisy breaths or bursts of air or steam: "the train came puffing in"
   • ▪ smoke a pipe, cigarette, or cigar: "he puffed on his pipe contentedly" Similar smokedraw onpull ondrag onsuck at/on
   • ▪ blow (dust, smoke, or a light object) with a quick breath or blast of air: "he puffed out smoke through his long cigarette holder"
   • ▪ move through the air in short bursts: "his breath puffed out like white smoke"
   • 2. swell or become swollen: "he suddenly sucked his stomach in and puffed his chest out"
   • ▪ be conceited: "he was never puffed up about his writing"
   • 3. advertise with exaggerated or false praise: "publishers have puffed the book on the grounds that it contains new discoveries" Similar advertisepromotegive publicity topublicizepushrecommendcommendendorseput in a good word forbeat the drum forinformal:give a puff tohype (up)plugrare:merchandise

   Word Origin Middle English: imitative of the sound of a breath, perhaps from Old Englishpyf (noun), pyffan (verb).

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • P

     3

   • U

     1

   • F

     4

   • F

     4

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishPUFF | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meanings and usage of the word puff in different contexts, such as breathing, smoking, blowing, food, and praise. See examples from the Cambridge English Corpus and other sources.

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › puffPuff Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › puff

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word puff as a verb, noun, and adjective. Find synonyms, examples, etymology, and related phrases of puff.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › puffPUFF Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › puff

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word puff, from a short, quick blast of air to a form of pastry. See synonyms, examples, and word history of puff.

5. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishpuff verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   Learn the meaning and pronunciation of the verb puff, which can mean to smoke, to blow out smoke or steam, or to breathe loudly. Find out how to use puff in different contexts, idioms and phrasal verbs.

6. www.thefreedictionary.com › puffPuff - definition of puff by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › puff

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   A puff is a short forceful exhalation of breath, a sudden emission of air or smoke, or a swelling or protuberance. It can also be a pastry, a powder puff, a quilt, or a commendation.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishPUFF definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word puff, such as a short burst of air or smoke, a draw at a cigarette, a swelling, or a pastry. See synonyms, pronunciation, examples, and related words.

8. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › puffPuff - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › puff

   A puff is a wisp of air or a baked snack. A magician might disappear in a puff of smoke — the kind that happens when you blow out a candle, not the kind that’s made of cheese. A puff of wind can spin a pinwheel or send a kite bobbing higher in the sky, and a tired runner's breath comes in puffs.