How Do You Spell PUFF?

Pronunciation: [pˈʌf] (IPA)

The word "puff" is spelled with two consonants and two vowels, represented in IPA phonetic transcription as /pʌf/. In this transcription, the "p" represents the voiceless bilabial plosive, which is a burst of air produced by closing the lips together and then releasing them. The "ʌ" represents the mid-central vowel sound, often called a schwa, which is the most common vowel sound in English. The final "f" represents the voiceless labiodental fricative, created by pressing the bottom lip against the upper teeth and blowing air through to create a hissing sound.

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Plural
Conjugate verb
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PUFF Meaning and Definition

  1. Puff can be defined as a verb and a noun, with different meanings based on its usage.

    As a verb, puff refers to the act of exhaling forcefully and audibly, typically with one's mouth, producing a short burst of breath accompanied by a slight blowing sound. It can also mean to blow or expel air or smoke in short breaths or with a quick pumping motion. For example, while smoking a cigarette or a pipe, a person may puff on it to draw in and expel the smoke.

    As a noun, puff can refer to a short, forceful exhalation of air or a quick blast of wind. It can also describe a small, light mass or cloud of smoke, steam, or dust particles suspended in the air. Puff can also refer to a soft, light, and rounded mass or ball of something, often used in the context of pastry or confectionery.

    Furthermore, puff can be used to describe a sudden and temporary increase or surge in something, such as a puff of wind or a puff of enthusiasm. In the fashion industry, a puff refers to a puffed-out section of fabric intended to create a fullness or decorative effect. Additionally, puff can also be used as an informal term to describe inflated or exaggerated praise or self-promotion, often without substantial basis or merit.

    Overall, puff encompasses varied meanings ranging from physical actions involving breath or air to describing certain characteristics of objects and ideas.

  2. A whiff, a short blowing sound heard on auscultation.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • A breath from the mouth emitted suddenly and with some force; a whiff; a slight gust of wind; anything swollen and light; an exaggerated commendation or advertisement.
    • To send air from the mouth with a single and sudden blast; to swell, as with wind; to inflate; to swell with pride; to praise unduly; to breathe quick and hard, as after violent exertion.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for PUFF *

  • puf 35.7142857%
  • pff 7.1428571%

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for PUFF

Etymology of PUFF

The word "puff" has an uncertain etymology, with various possible origins. Here are a few proposed explanations:

1. Germanic Origin: Some sources suggest that "puff" could be derived from the Germanic word "pufen" or "puffen", which means to blow, huff, or pant. This Germanic root might have influenced the development of "puff" as a verb describing a sudden expulsion of air, such as blowing on something.

2. Onomatopoeia: Another possibility is that "puff" is an onomatopoeic word, meaning it imitates the sound associated with the action it describes. In this case, "puff" could represent the sound of a sudden release of air, like a gentle explosion or a billow.

Idioms with the word PUFF

  • puff up The idiom "puff up" generally means to inflate or exaggerate one's own importance or accomplishments, often with the intention of impressing others or gaining attention. It can also refer to making something seem larger or more significant than it actually is.
  • puff and pant/blow The idiom "puff and pant/blow" refers to exerting a great deal of effort or struggling physically. It usually describes someone breathing heavily and audibly due to exhaustion or physical strain. It suggests that the person is putting in a significant amount of energy and effort to accomplish a task or overcome an obstacle.
  • vanish/go up/disappear in a puff of smoke The idiom "vanish/go up/disappear in a puff of smoke" means to suddenly and completely vanish or disappear, often without any explanation or trace. It implies a sudden and mysterious disappearance, as if the person or thing has vanished instantly, leaving no evidence behind, similar to how smoke quickly dissipates in the air.
  • puff away (at something) The idiom "puff away (at something)" refers to the act of continuing to work on or persistently engage in a task or activity, often with great effort or intensity. It implies exerting considerable energy or determination towards achieving a particular goal or outcome.
  • huff and puff The idiom "huff and puff" is used to describe someone's exaggerated or dramatic effort to accomplish a task or achieve a goal. It refers to the act of breathing heavily, often with indignation or frustration, to show exertion or frustration while working on something.
  • puff sm or sth up The idiom "puff up someone or something" means to inflate, exaggerate, or make something or someone appear better, more impressive, or more important than they really are. It often refers to presenting a false image or promoting someone's or something's reputation beyond their actual capabilities or qualities.
  • puff and blow The idiom "puff and blow" typically refers to someone exerting a lot of effort or energy, often with little to no result. It conveys the idea of someone working hard but achieving very little or futilely struggling to accomplish something.
  • cream puff The definition of the idiom "cream puff" refers to a person who is easily intimidated, weak, or lacking impressive qualities, particularly in terms of physical strength or resilience. It is often used when describing someone who appears delicate or fragile, both physically and emotionally.
  • puff and pant The idiom "puff and pant" refers to the act of breathing heavily or huffing and puffing due to exhaustion or physical exertion. It is often used to describe someone who is out of breath, typically after engaging in strenuous activities or vigorous exercise.
  • puff sth out The idiom "puff sth out" means to blow air or breath forcefully into something in order to make it expand, inflate, or become larger in size. It can also refer to extinguishing a flame or making something stop burning by blowing on it.
  • puff up (into sth) The idiom "puff up (into sth)" means to expand or increase significantly in size, amount, or extent. It is often used figuratively to describe something or someone becoming larger, more important, or more impressive.
  • puff along The idiom "puff along" typically means to continue or proceed, but with effort or difficulty. It often implies that progress is slow or laborious, similar to the image of someone puffing and struggling to make their way forward.
  • puff (away) at sth The idiom "puff (away) at sth" refers to repeatedly inhaling and exhaling smoke from a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. It is often used to describe the action of smoking or the act of taking long and forceful draws on a smoking device.
  • puff out The idiom "puff out" means to expand or swell, typically in reference to the outward projection of a body part or a sudden increase in size or volume. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone boasting or exaggerating their abilities or achievements.
  • puff The idiom "puff" refers to exaggerated praise or promotion of something or someone. It can also be used to describe someone who is showing off or boasting excessively.

Similar spelling words for PUFF

Plural form of PUFF is PUFFS

Conjugate verb Puff

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have puffed
you would have puffed
he/she/it would have puffed
we would have puffed
they would have puffed
I would have puff
you would have puff
he/she/it would have puff
we would have puff
they would have puff

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been puffing
you would have been puffing
he/she/it would have been puffing
we would have been puffing
they would have been puffing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would puff
you would puff
he/she/it would puff
we would puff
they would puff

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be puffing
you would be puffing
he/she/it would be puffing
we would be puffing
they would be puffing

FUTURE

I will puff
you will puff
he/she/it will puff
we will puff
they will puff

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be puffing
you will be puffing
he/she/it will be puffing
we will be puffing
they will be puffing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have puffed
you will have puffed
he/she/it will have puffed
we will have puffed
they will have puffed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been puffing
you will have been puffing
he/she/it will have been puffing
we will have been puffing
they will have been puffing

IMPERATIVE

you puff
we let´s puff

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to puff

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was puffing
you were puffing
he/she/it was puffing
we were puffing
they were puffing

PAST PARTICIPLE

puffed

PAST PERFECT

I had puffed
you had puffed
he/she/it had puffed
we had puffed
they had puffed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been puffing
you had been puffing
he/she/it had been puffing
we had been puffing
they had been puffing

PRESENT

I puff
you puff
he/she/it puffs
we puff
they puff

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am puffing
you are puffing
he/she/it is puffing
we are puffing
they are puffing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

puffing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have puffed
you have puffed
he/she/it has puffed
we have puffed
they have puffed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been puffing
you have been puffing
he/she/it has been puffing
we have been puffing
they have been puffing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it puff

SIMPLE PAST

I puffed
you puffed
he/she/it puffed
we puffed
they puffed

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