puff

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. one act of breathing in smoke from a cigarette or pipe.

n. an act of inhaling and exhaling smoke from a tobacco product or similar device.

“He took a quick puff of his cigarette before going back inside the office.”

“She paused for a final puff of her cigar, staring thoughtfully at the horizon before extinguishing it in the tray.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun British English · Informal

n. your ability to breathe easily when you are doing exercise.

n. the capacity for sustained respiration during physical exertion.

“I am so unfit that I lost my puff just walking up the stairs.”

“The veteran runner struggled to find his puff during the final steep incline of the marathon.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Cooking

n. a light, hollow piece of pastry often filled with cream.

n. a light, aerated pastry shell, typically made from choux or puff pastry and filled with sweet or savoury ingredients.

“She bought a cream puff from the bakery for dessert.”

“The chef prepared a delicate salmon puff, served with a light dill sauce and seasonal greens.”

B1 · Intermediate

v. to breathe loudly and quickly because you have been running or working hard.

v. to breathe in short, heavy gasps due to physical exhaustion.

“The hikers were puffing by the time they reached the top of the hill.”

“He arrived at the meeting puffing and red-faced, having run three blocks to make it on time.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to make something look bigger by filling it with air.

v. to cause to swell or become distended with air or pride.

“The bird puffed out its feathers to stay warm in the cold wind.”

“The politician puffed up his chest and began to speak with great self-importance to the gathered crowd.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun British English · Slang · Vulgar

n. a very rude and offensive word for a gay man.

n. a highly offensive and derogatory term for a homosexual man, particularly one perceived as effeminate.

“The bully used a nasty puff slur against the student.”

“The use of the term 'puff' in the historical document reflects the deep-seated homophobia of that particular era.”