Jump to:

• powder puff
  powder puff

  noun

  a soft, feathery ball or pad, as of cotton or down, for applying powder to the skin.
• powder-puff
  powder-puff

  adjective

  limited to participation by women or girls.

powder puff

¹ American  

noun

1. a soft, feathery ball or pad, as of cotton or down, for applying powder to the skin.

---

powder-puff ² American  

[pou-der-puhf] / ˈpaʊ dərˌpʌf /

adjective

Informal.

1. limited to participation by women or girls.

   She plays on the powder-puff touch football team.

2. inconsequential; trifling; lightweight.

   a powder-puff company with little financing and a weak sales effort.

---

powder puff British  

noun

1. a soft pad or ball of fluffy material used for applying cosmetic powder to the skin

---

Etymology

Origin of powder puff¹

First recorded in 1695–1705

Origin of powder-puff²

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The Sun Devils haven't been world-beaters so far, but they've played two powder puff opponents.

From Fox News • Sep. 17, 2021

She discreetly blotted her wounds with the powder puff.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2017

She imagines swooning in his arms like some gauzy thirties film starlet, propped up on a blue powder puff and surrounded by thornless roses as he tells her he loves her.

From The New Yorker • Nov. 9, 2015

In the early years, stock car races, demolition derbies and powder puff races happened at the track.

From Washington Times • May 7, 2015

Bald patches, spectacles, and all: Aunt Fannie upon her powder puff throne.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck