puff

Fetched 2026-10-27 (live).

Datamuse reports no synonyms or antonyms for this word.

Noun

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

Verb

1. To emit smoke, gas, etc., in puffs.
2. To pant.
3. 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.
   • a bladder puffed with air
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.

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wiktionary) · cached copy, not a rewrite.