puff

noun

UK /pʌf/

Word Forms

singular	puff
plural	puffs

1
countable the action of breathing in smoke from a cigarette, pipe etc
She put the cigarette out after a few puffs.
Synonyms and related words
Smoking and not smoking
ashtray
cessation
chain-smoke
2
countable the action of blowing or breathing out air so that it makes a sound
Her breath came in short painful puffs.
Synonyms and related words
The lungs and breathing
airway
an intake of breath
artificial respiration
1. 2a
  a sound like someone blowing or breathing out air
  the puff, puff of the old steam engine
  Synonyms and related words
  Sounds made by people
  babble
  babel
  footfall
2. 2b
  Britishinformalenough breath or strength to do something
  We ran out of puff before we got to the top of the hill.
  Synonyms and related words
  The lungs and breathing
  airway
  an intake of breath
  artificial respiration
  Synonyms and related words
  Physical strength
  strength
  force
  energy
3
countable a small amount of smoke, wind, or air that comes and goes quickly
puff of:
There was a small bang, and then a puff of blue smoke.
Synonyms and related words
The air we breathe
a breath of air/wind
air
airborne
4
countable a type of small pie made of pastry with something soft inside
a cheese/cream puff
Synonyms and related words
Pies and pastries
apple pie
butter tart
choux pastry
5
countable something that someone says or writes in order to advertise or praise something in public
Synonyms and related words
Types of advertisement
ad
advert
advertisement
6
uncountable Britishinformalthe drug cannabis
Synonyms and related words
Illegal drugs and drugs sometimes taken illegally
acid
anabolic steroid
cannabis

puff

noun countable

US /pʌf/

Word Forms

singular	puff
plural	puffs

1
the action of breathing in smoke from a cigarette, pipe, etc.
She put the cigarette out after a few puffs.
Synonyms and related words
Smoking and not smoking
ashtray
cessation
chain-smoke
2
the action of blowing or breathing out air so that it makes a sound
Her breath came in short painful puffs.
Synonyms and related words
The lungs and breathing
airway
an intake of breath
artificial respiration
1. 2a
  a sound like someone blowing or breathing out air
  the puff, puff of the old steam engine
  Synonyms and related words
  Sounds made by people
  babble
  babel
  footfall
3
a small amount of smoke, wind, or air that comes and goes quickly
puff of:
There was a small bang, and then a puff of blue smoke.
Synonyms and related words
The air we breathe
a breath of air/wind
air
airborne

puff

verb

UK /pʌf/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	puff
he/she/it	puffs
present participle	puffing
past tense	puffed
past participle	puffed

1
intransitive/transitive to smoke a cigarette, pipe etc
puff on/at:
Grandad sat in the corner and puffed on his pipe.
Synonyms and related words
Smoking and not smoking
ashtray
cessation
chain-smoke
2
intransitive to breathe or blow out air noisily, especially because you have been running, climbing etc
He was puffing a bit when he reached the top.
Synonyms and related words
To breathe, or to have difficulty breathing
breathe
blow
sigh
1. 2a
  to move while making a sound like someone breathing noisily
  puff along/up/down etc:
  The little train puffed along.
  Synonyms and related words
  To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
  head
  go
  progress
See alsohuff
3
intransitive/transitive to say something in a way that shows you are annoyed and offended, especially when this makes you look rather silly
‘How dare you?’ he puffed.
Synonyms and related words
To say something, or to speak to someone in an angry way
lash out
tear into
abuse

phrasal verbs

puff out

puff up

puff

verb

US /pʌf/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	puff
he/she/it	puffs
present participle	puffing
past tense	puffed
past participle	puffed

1
intransitive/transitive to smoke a cigarette, pipe, etc.
puff on/at:
Grandad sat in the corner and puffed on his pipe.
Synonyms and related words
Smoking and not smoking
ashtray
cessation
chain-smoke
2
intransitive to breathe or blow out air noisily, especially because you have been running, climbing, etc.
He was puffing when he reached the top.
Synonyms and related words
To breathe, or to have difficulty breathing
breathe
blow
sigh
1. 2a
  to move while making a sound like someone breathing noisily
  puff along/up/down etc.:
  The little train puffed along.
  Synonyms and related words
  To go somewhere, or to move in a particular direction
  head
  go
  progress
See alsohuff

phrasal verbs

puff out

puff up