fluff

American  

[fluhf] / flʌf /

noun

1. light, downy particles, as of cotton.

2. a soft, light, downy mass.

   a fluff of summer clouds.

3. something of no consequence.

   The book is pure fluff, but fun to read.

4. an error or blunder, especially an actor's memory lapse in the delivery of lines.

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verb (used with object)

1. to make into fluff; shake or puff out (feathers, hair, etc.) into a fluffy mass (often followed byup ).

   to fluff up the sofa pillows.

2. to make a mistake in.

   The leading man fluffed his lines.

verb (used without object)

1. to become fluffy; move, float, or settle down like fluff.

2. to make a mistake, especially in the delivery of lines by a performer; blunder.

fluff British  

/ flʌf /

noun

1. soft light particles, such as the down or nap of cotton or wool

2. any light downy substance

3. an object, matter, etc, of little importance; trifle

4. informal a mistake, esp in speaking or reading lines or performing music

5. informal a young woman (esp in the phrase a bit of fluff )

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verb

1. to make or become soft and puffy by shaking or patting; puff up

2. informal to make a mistake in performing (an action, dramatic speech, music, etc)

Usage

What does fluff mean? Fluff is a light, soft mass, such as cotton or a cloud, as in After I shaved my head, the hair that grew back was soft, like fluff.To fluff something means to shake or puff out something, as with pillows. When you fluff your hair, you might shake it out a bit so that it puffs up and looks fluffy.Fluff can also describe something that is of little importance, such as a novel that someone deems fun but not at all serious.Fluff is also a mistake, especially a situation in which an actor forgets their lines. To fluff is to make such a mistake, as in Valerie fluffed her lines during the first scene, but she quickly recovered.Example: When Grace and I were stuffing the pillows we had made, we had fluff flying all over the living room.

Other Word Forms

• fluffer noun
• unfluffed adjective

Etymology

Origin of fluff

1780–90; perhaps blend of flue ² and puff

Example Sentences

“Superman,” arriving three years after “Jaws,” was a product of Hollywood’s move toward blockbusters and a sign that the business was aiming for fluff that would make millions of dollars.

From The Wall Street Journal

Babycakes, a white angora bunny that looked like a giant fluff ball, lived in a pen in the back of the room, near the bookshelves.

From Literature

She fluffed out her feathers and flapped her wings at the snake.

From Literature

After a delay of 17 minutes, Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz - the tournament's top scorer with five goals - fluffed his lines from the penalty spot with a bizarre and untimely Panenka attempt.

From BBC

He scored a crucial break in the seventh game of set three when Diallo fluffed a forehand from the baseline and took control as his opponent's error count surged.

From Barron's

Related Words

• fuzz
• lint