a soft pad or ball of fluffy material used for applying cosmetic powder to the skin
powder puff in American English
a soft pad for applying cosmetic powder
powder puff in American English
noun
a soft, feathery ball or pad, as of cotton or down, for applying powder to the skin
Word origin
[1695–1705]This word is first recorded in the period 1695–1705. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: assemblage, mimosa, nonresistant, nucleus, telescopic
powder-puff in American English
(ˈpaudərˌpʌf)
adjective informal, censorious
1.
limited to participation by women or girls
She plays on the powder-puff touch football team
2.
inconsequential; trifling; lightweight
a powder-puff company with little financing and a weak sales effort
Word origin
[1935–40]This word is first recorded in the period 1935–40. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: Rhodesian ridgeback, fluorocarbon, gangbuster, prime mover, walk-through