Definition of: puff

(puf) noun
1. A breath emitted suddenly and with force; a sudden emission, as of air, smoke, or steam; a whiff.
2. A light, air-filled piece of pastry: a cream puff.
3. A light ball, tuft, wad, or pad for dusting powder on the hair or skin; a powder puff.
4. A loose roll of hair in a coiffure, or a light cushion over which it is rolled.
5. A quilted bed coverlet, usually filled with cotton, wool, or down; a comforter.
6. In dressmaking, a part of a fabric so gathered as to produce a loose, fluffy distention.
7. A public expression of fulsome praise, as in a newspaper or advertisement.
8. A puffball.
—v.i.
1. To blow in puffs, as the wind.
2. To breathe hard, as after violent exertion.
3. To emit smoke, steam, etc., in puffs.
4. To smoke a cigar, etc., with puffs.
5. To move, act, or exert oneself while emitting puffs: with away, up, etc.
6. To swell as with air or pride; dilate: often with up or out.
—v.t.
7. To send forth or emit with short puffs or breaths.
8. To move, impel, or stir up with or in puffs.
9. To smoke, as a pipe or cigar, with puffs.
10. To swell or distend: He puffed his cheeks with pride.
11. To praise fulsomely; advertise in a puff (def. 7).
12. To arrange (the hair) in a puff. [ME puf <puffen, pyffan] Synonyms (verb): blow, compliment, flatter, inflate, pant, praise, swell. Compare SWELL. Antonyms: belittle, contract, disparage, shrink, shrivel.