bouffant

[boo-fahnt, boo-fahnt, boo-fahn]

adjective

1. puffed out; full.

   a bouffant skirt.

noun

1. a woman's hairstyle in which the hair is teased to give an overall puffed-out appearance and often combed to frame the face.

bouffant

/ ˈbuːfɒŋ /

adjective

1. (of a hair style) having extra height and width through back-combing; puffed out

2. (of sleeves, skirts, etc) puffed out

noun

1. a bouffant hair style

Other Word Forms

• bouffancy noun
• semibouffant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bouffant¹

First recorded in 1875–80; from French: literally, “swelling” ( bouff(er) “to swell” + -ant adjective suffix; -ant )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bouffant¹

C20: from French, from bouffer to puff up

Example Sentences

This year, the Dominican rapper supported her friend by walking the runway in a retro bouffant and black funeral dress.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her head tilted from side to side, her mile-high bouffant swinging along.

Read more on Literature

She certainly had a steady personal style; she never changed her bouffant hairstyle with its little flip, and to my eye always looked like a glamorous version of a 1950s housewife.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“There were a lot of vintage jumpsuits. One of our friends went full 1960s with go-go boots and a bouffant. A lot of sequins were happening,” Long said.

Read more on Seattle Times

Dark lipstick and bouffant hairdos completed the look.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• braid 
• dreadlocks 
• haircut 
• hairdo 
• headdress 
• ponytail