poof

[ poof, poof ]

/ pʊf, puf /

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interjection

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

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.

Question 1 of 8

Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?

The Sunflower State

The Evergreen State

The Magnolia State

The Mockingbird State

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of poof

First recorded in 1815–25

Words nearby poof

poo, pooch, pood, poodle, poodle-faker, poof, poofter, pooh, Pooh Bah, pooh-pooh, pook

Definition for poof (2 of 2)

poof²

[ poof, poof ]

/ puf, pʊf /

noun British Slang.

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

Offensive. an effeminate male.

Also pouf; poof·ter [poof-ter] /ˈpuf tər/ . Sometimes pooff; poove

[poov] /puv/ .

Origin of poof

First recorded in 1840–50; from French pouffe “puff”; see origin at pouf¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences 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
Sure, the initial poof would seem pretty spectacular—car crashes, mothers sobbing over their strollers, that sort of stuff.
‘The Leftovers’ Review: A Fever Dream You Can’t Wake Up From|Andrew Romano|June 29, 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
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
You are not in the habit of discussing your love affairs quite so generously as I. Poof!
West Wind Drift|George Barr McCutcheon
"Poof to United States," said the little man, snapping his fingers.
A Voyage with Captain Dynamite|Charles Edward Rich
He had volunteered this service and accomplish it he must, in face of all obstacles, or poof!
The Carpet from Bagdad|Harold MacGrath
Thinking of fresh yams and fruit, I pulled off the leaves, and there—poof!
Tropic Days|E. J. Banfield

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

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poof

interjection

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Origin of poof

Words nearby poof

Definition for poof (2 of 2)

noun British Slang.

Origin of poof

Example sentences from the Web for poof

British Dictionary definitions for poof

poove

noun

Derived forms of poof

Word Origin for poof