The sound of a small abrupt or explosive emission of air; a similar short, explosive sound.

A puffing or whistling sound, as of a puff or gust of wind through a small opening; a short or gentle whistle; hence frequently = whew, n.1 (also as…

A puff of wind; also a sound resembling this; the ‘spit’ of a cat; a whiff (of tobacco-smoke).

Representing a rushing or whooshing sound as that made by the wind, something travelling rapidly through the air, the sudden flaring up of a fire…

Representing the sound made by a rapid, brief movement of air as caused by a sudden move, impact, explosion, etc. Cf. biff, int., puff, int.