1a short, explosive burst of breath or wind:a puff of wind swung the weathercock round
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
[mass noun]British informal breath:after a chase of over three miles he had finally run out of puff
2 [usually with modifier or in combination] a light pastry case, typically one made of puff pastry, containing a sweet or savoury filling:a jam puff
3 informal a review of a work of art, book, or theatrical production, especially an excessively complimentary one:the publishers sent him a copy of the book hoping for a puff
British an advertisement, especially one exaggerating the value of the goods advertised:the distinction between a trader’s puff and a statement having legal significance is a fine one [mass noun]:extravagant statements are regarded as salesman’s puff
4a 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
North American an eiderdown:the snowy beds were piled with plump pillows and puffs
5a powder puff:she sent her a box of dusting powder with a swansdown puff
ზმნა
Universal
1 [no object] breathe in repeated short gasps:exercises that make you puff
[with adverbial] 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
[with object] 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 (puff something out/up or puff out/up) swell or become swollen: [with object]:he suddenly sucked his stomach in and puffed his chest out [no object]:when he was in a temper, his cheeks puffed up and his eyes shrank
(be puffed up) be conceited:he was never puffed up about his writing
3 [with object] advertise with exaggerated or false praise:publishers have puffed the book on the grounds that it contains new discoveries
in all one's puff
British informal in one’s whole life:did you ever see anything more pretentious in all your puff?
puff and blow
breathe in gasps during or after exertion:they trotted round corners, puffing and blowing
