poof

¹ American  

[poof, poof] / puf, pʊf /

Sometimes pooff; also pouf;

noun

British Slang.

1. Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a gay man.

2. Offensive. an effeminate male.

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poof ² American  

[poof, poof] / pʊf, puf /

interjection

1. (used to express or indicate a sudden disappearance).

   Poof! The magician made the rabbit disappear.

2. pooh.

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poof British  

/ pʊf, puːf /

noun

1. derogatory a male homosexual

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Other Word Forms

• poofy adjective

Etymology

Origin of poof¹

First recorded in 1840–50; from French pouffe “puff”; pouf ¹

Origin of poof¹

First recorded in 1815–25