poof

[ poo f, poof ]

/ pʊf, puf /

interjection

(used to express or indicate a sudden disappearance): Poof! The magician made the rabbit disappear.

pooh¹(def 1).

Words nearby poof

poobah, pooch, pood, poodle, poodle-faker, poof, poofter, pooh, pooh bah, pooh-bah, pooh-pooh

Origin of poof

First recorded in 1815–25

Definition for poof (2 of 2)

poof²

[ poof, poo f ]

/ puf, pʊf /

noun British Slang.

Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a male homosexual.

Offensive. an effeminate male.

Also pooff, pouf, poove, poof·ter.

Origin of poof

1840–50; < French pouffe pouf¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples from the Web for poof

You believe that your body can make everything good; just one glimpse of your sculpted, toned beauty and—poof!
Justin Bieber's Abs Cannot Save Him|Tim Teeman|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The magic of landing my first role on Broadway went “poof” in a matter of a few weeks.
Uzo Aduba: My Road to ‘Orange Is the New Black’|Uzoamaka Aduba|August 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Someone wins an election and, poof, they are a candidate for vice president.
Scott Walker May Be the GOP’s New Darling, but There’s No Way He’ll Be on Romney’s Ticket|Mark McKinnon|June 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST
And poof, the horrifying details of violent forced sex disappear.
A Bleak Day for Rape Victims|Cheryl Thomas|August 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST

Exogenously higher income"—that is, wealth that comes, poof, out of the blue—"produces unhealthy living.
Lotto Death Curse|Anneli Rufus|February 19, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Thinking of fresh yams and fruit, I pulled off the leaves, and there—poof!
Tropic Days|E. J. Banfield
Poof—crack—bang, went off another explosion; and up bounced Old Hellyer, as if a catapult had been applied below his seat.
On Board the Esmeralda|John Conroy Hutcheson
He had volunteered this service and accomplish it he must, in face of all obstacles, or poof!
The Carpet from Bagdad|Harold MacGrath
Not even when, with poof and a yellow flare, the gas tank of one of the cars exploded.
A Feast of Demons|William Morrison
From de moment de stick pegins to p'int, you mustn't speak von vord, for shoost as soon as you do—poof!
Harper's Young People, March 29, 1881|Various

British Dictionary definitions for poof

poof

poove

/ (pʊf, puːf) /

noun

British derogatory, slang a male homosexual

Derived forms of poof

poofy, adjective

Word Origin for poof

C20: from French pouffe puff

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012