fluff

1 of 2

noun

1
2
: something fluffy
dandelion fluff
3
: something inconsequential
4
: blunder
especially : an actor's lapse of memory

fluff

2 of 2

verb

fluffed; fluffing; fluffs

transitive verb

1
: to make fluffy
fluff the pillows
birds fluffing up their feathers
2
a
: to spoil by a mistake : botch
b
: to deliver badly or forget (one's lines) in a play

intransitive verb

1
: to become fluffy
2
: to make a mistake
especially : to forget or bungle one's lines in a play

Examples of fluff in a Sentence

Noun Her sweater was covered with fluff. The movie was pure fluff. Her latest article has the usual fluff about movie stars and gossip. Verb The wind fluffed his hair. The golfer fluffed another shot. The actor kept fluffing the same line.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
This material comes from the underside fluff of waterfowl, namely ducks and geese, characterized by a cluster of light filaments around a central quill. Brianna Kamienski, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024 And pain the delicious treat with a cup of hot cocoa, jazzed up with a signature marshmallow fluff in vanilla or peppermint. Michelle Jenkins, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 Dogs are known as a person’s best friend, and the beloved fluff balls just so happen to be the most popular pet in the United States. Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 30 Jan. 2024 Dogs are known as a person’s best friend, and the beloved fluff balls just so happen to be the most popular pet in the United States and are taking the pet industry by storm, but what breeds are typically preferred over others? Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Jan. 2024 Not to mention, Telfar’s collaboration with Ugg continues to dominate, thanks to the cutest lil’ shoppers trimmed in cuddle-worthy fluff. Alexis Bennett Parker, Vogue, 8 Nov. 2023 And if your style is a little more flouncy, this velvet pair of fuzzy slippers topped off with a playful fluff ball, will bring out your inner diva. Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 23 Feb. 2024 Three of the black-and-white fluff balls departed the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington last year, triggering a long and tearful farewell. Lily Kuo, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024 To combat confusion, prioritize clear, insightful writing over SEO-centric fluff. Peter Boyd, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024
Verb
Even after sitting on the vest during a long car trip, the vest fluffed back up to its former shape. Cai Cramer, Peoplemag, 11 Feb. 2024 Turn off the heat, uncover, and fluff the rice with a fork. Sarah Thompson, Saveur, 3 Jan. 2024 To assemble, zip the insert into the cover and fluff up the bean bag. Phoebe Sklansky, Parents, 25 Nov. 2023 Cleaning experts recommend using fragrance-free soap on pillows and keeping them clean by fluffing them, regularly changing the pillowcases, freshening them up in the dryer, and using removable pillow protectors. Christianna Silva, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2023 Romp grabbed a tree, pounded the stump against the ground and fluffed out the branches. Alexandra E. Petri, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2023 As for setup, the tree comes together in just a few steps: Connect the base to the largest section of the tree, then attach the remaining sections and fluff the branches. Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2023 About an hour from the Holland Tunnel, take a right off Route 130 after the Dunkin’, file into a stadium-size parking lot, and, just past the electric pylon, a mirage appears: a bronze statue of a skinny yogi and, beyond it, swirls of stone fluffed up into meringue peaks. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 9 Nov. 2023 Using a fork, fluff the rice, then stir to incorporate the chicken mixture. Christopher Kimball, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fluff.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps blend of flue (fluff) and puff

First Known Use

Noun

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1835, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fluff was in 1790

Dictionary Entries Near fluff

Cite this Entry

“Fluff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluff. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fluff

1 of 2 noun
1
2
: something fluffy

fluff

2 of 2 verb
: to make or become fluffy

More from Merriam-Webster on fluff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!