An Encylopedia Britannica Company

puff

1 puff /ˈpʌf/ verb
puffs; puffed; puffing
1 puff
/ˈpʌf/
verb
puffs; puffed; puffing
Britannica Dictionary definition of PUFF
: to breathe smoke from a cigarette, pipe, etc., in and out of the lungs
[no object]
[+ object]
: to produce or send out small clouds of smoke or steam
[+ object]
[no object]
always followed by an adverb or preposition, [no object] : to move in a particular direction while producing clouds of steam or smoke
[no object] informal
: to breathe loudly especially because of hard physical activity
always followed by an adverb or preposition : to move or do something while breathing loudly
[no object] : to become larger and rounder than normal usually + up
[+ object] : to make (something) larger and rounder than normal usually + up

huff and puff

see 1huff

puff out

[phrasal verb]
puff (something) out or puff out (something)
: to make (something) larger and rounder by filling it with air

puff (up) with pride

◊ When you puff (up) with pride or when you are puffed (up) with pride, you are very proud and stand or sit up straighter because of it.

— puffed

adjective
2 puff /ˈpʌf/ noun
plural puffs
2 puff
/ˈpʌf/
noun
plural puffs
Britannica Dictionary definition of PUFF
[count] : an act of breathing something (such as smoke or medicine) into your lungs
[count] : a movement of gas, smoke, or air that can be seen or felt
usually + of
[count] : a light, round pastry that contains a sweet filling see also cream puff
British, informal + disapproving : speech or writing that praises someone or something too much
[noncount]
[count]
[noncount] British, informal : breath 1
see also powder puff