Puff

/pʌf/ · noun

Meaning

(countable) A sharp exhalation of a small amount of breath through the mouth..

Definitions by Sense

1. (countable) A sharp exhalation of a small amount of breath through the mouth.
2. (uncountable, slang) 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. (informal, countable) An act of inhaling smoke from a cigarette, cigar or pipe.
6. (uncountable, slang) The drug cannabis.
7. (countable) A flamboyant or alluring statement of praise.
8. A portion of fabric gathered up so as to be left full in the middle.

Example Sentences

out of puff

puff of smoke

to every puff of wind a slave

"The wind we had was only an early puff! You'll see we shall have our full allowance!"

When I went to bed that night I found that I could not get to sleep. At five o'clock I got up and took a hot bath. I climbed back into bed and lighted one of the Chinese-made "Great Wall" cigars my hosts had thoughtfully provided, and sat puffing on the cigar and making notes about the events of the momentous week.

[…] though I care not one straw for the personal puffs of which I myself am so often the subject […]

[…] we critics were not his fellow-guests, but simply deadheads whose business it was to "dress the house" and write puffs.

a sleeve with a puff at the shoulder

Synonyms for puff

Antonyms for puff

Related Words

Word Forms

• puffs
• puffing
• puffed

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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