puffer

noun

puff·​er ˈpə-fər How to pronounce puffer (audio)
plural puffers
1
: any of a family (Tetraodontidae) of chiefly tropical scaleless marine bony fishes which can distend themselves to a globular form and most of which are highly poisonous : puffer fish
2
: a garment (such as a jacket) made of heavy quilted material
Yet this flood of fashion has a downside. … Can you layer a puffer over a suit without looking, well, portly?Jacob Gallagher
often used before another noun
Roche, a slightly unkempt 54-year-old, wore black ski pants, a puffer jacket and sunglasses.Irina Aleksander
The new men's look … incorporates sporty items such as hoodies, puffer vests or jackets, camouflage patterns, sneakers, polo shirts and bomber jackets.Ray A. Smith
Once destined only for … occasions where highly practical (but often ugly) outerwear is required, the puffer coat has now infiltrated the world of high fashion.Otago (New Zealand) Daily Times (online)
These makers seem to be in alignment; the puffer scarf is the practical and stylish answer to frigid weather.Rachel Besser
3
: someone or something that puffs
Surrounded by two-pack-a-day cigarette puffers, he was a cigar smoker.Russell Baker
When it's wet or humid, lubricate sticky locks with a graphite puffer or talcum.Shannon Lush and Jennifer Fleming

Examples of puffer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Take the Pope’s photo in a puffer jacket, for example. Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 11 Mar. 2024 In photos from the outing after a lunch date, Lopez could be seen in a pair of shades, a white puffer vest, a tan scarf and long-sleeve shirt, some brown boots and her fashionable dark-denim-blue trousers — which featured several buttons and extended to the bottom of her boots. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 26 Feb. 2024 The puffer vest seen on various celebs today is the first licensed NFL drop by Kristin Juszczyk Designs. Jason Abbruzzese, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2024 Eager to pack away your puffer coat and get going on spring shopping? Nicola Fumo, Peoplemag, 1 Mar. 2024 Booker wore a black puffer coat from Kylie Jenner’s luxury brand Khy in Indianapolis last month. Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 23 Feb. 2024 Amanda, dressed in a large puffer jacket, welcomed them. Jordan P. Hickey, Longreads, 22 Feb. 2024 Those facing especially cold weather may opt for an insulated puffer vest with an ultra-warm material like cashmere or down with a longer silhouette to protect the legs. Lauren Dana Ellman, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Jan. 2024 For instance, the idea for her viral puffer jackets originated from observing men at her husband's games wearing their jerseys over large jackets. Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 9 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of puffer was in 1615

Dictionary Entries Near puffer

Cite this Entry

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

Kids Definition

puffer

noun
puff·​er ˈpəf-ər How to pronounce puffer (audio)
1
: one that puffs
2

Medical Definition

puffer

noun
puff·​er ˈpəf-ər How to pronounce puffer (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on puffer

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