English Reference
adjective · noun

fluffy

adj. · n.
US /ˈfɫəfi/ UK /flˈʌfi/ fluffy

  1. 01 A2 Elementary

    adj.covered with soft fur or feathers, or feeling very soft and light like a cloud.

    adj.covered with or resembling fluff; characterized by a soft, light, and downy texture.

    Simple

    The new puppy has very fluffy white fur that feels like silk.

    In context

    The pastry chef whipped the egg whites until they formed fluffy peaks, ensuring the souffle would rise perfectly in the oven.

    fuzzydownysoft
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    adj.not serious or important; something that is pleasant but has no real meaning.

    adj.superficial or lightweight in character; lacking intellectual depth or serious substance.

    Simple

    I wanted a serious documentary, but this film was just a fluffy romantic comedy.

    In context

    Critics dismissed the interview as a fluffy piece of journalism that failed to challenge the politician on his controversial voting record.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Informal

    adj.not clearly explained or defined; a bit confusing or 'fuzzy'.

    adj.not clearly defined or rigorously explained; lacking precision or logical clarity.

    Simple

    The company's plan for the future is still a bit fluffy and needs more detail.

    In context

    The proposal was criticized for its fluffy language, which masked a lack of concrete financial projections for the upcoming fiscal year.

    vaguefuzzyimprecise
  4. 04 B1 Intermediate Dialect Cooking

    n.a small cup of frothed milk served to children in a café.

    n.a small serving of frothed milk, often topped with chocolate powder or marshmallows, intended for children.

    Simple

    While I had a latte, my daughter enjoyed her fluffy with extra marshmallows.

    In context

    The café culture in the region is inclusive, often featuring a 'fluffy' on the menu to cater to families with young children.

    Usage

    Commonly used in New Zealand and parts of Australia.

    babycino

From fluff + -y. Compare German flauschig (“fluffy”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level A2 · Elementary
Frequency Frequent
Updated