pouf

¹ American  

[poof] / puf /

noun

1. a high headdress with the hair rolled in puffs, worn by women in the late 18th century.

2. an arrangement of the hair over a pad; puff.

3. a puff of material as an ornament on a dress or headdress.

4. Also pouffe. a broad, backless, usually round, cushionlike seat, often large enough for several people.

---

pouf ² American  

[poof, poof] / pʊf, puf /

noun

British Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.

1. poof.

---

pouf British  

/ puːf /

noun

1. a large solid cushion, usually cylindrical or cubic in shape, used as a seat

2. 1. a woman's hair style, fashionable esp in the 18th century, in which the hair is piled up in rolled puffs

   2. a pad set in the hair to make such puffs

3. a stuffed pad worn under panniers

4. derogatory less common spellings of poof

---

Other Word Forms

• poufed adjective
• pouffed adjective
• pouffy adjective
• poufy adjective

Etymology

Origin of pouf

From French, dating back to 1810–20; puff

Example Sentences

“Instead of a large cocktail table in your hang-out zone, include a collection of small tables and a pouf or ottoman to continue with the theme of keeping your space flexible, “ she says.

From Seattle Times • May 17, 2024

Wrapped in a poncho, her natural pouf of hair stuffed into the hood, she sighed as she took the microphone.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2023

“I love a comfy pouf or floor pillow I can just pull around a coffee table.”

From Washington Post • Sep. 14, 2022

When my home emptied and after the divorce, I'm feeling very vulnerable, I saw this beautiful a pouf.

From Salon • May 6, 2022

Her hair is a tangled pouf at the back of her head.

From "The Sea in Winter" by Christine Day

Related Words

• bedspread
• blanket
• comforter