puffer

American  

[puhf-er] / ˈpʌf ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that puffs.

2. Also called blowfish, globefish.  any of various fishes of the family Tetraodontidae, capable of inflating the body with water or air until it resembles a globe, the spines in the skin becoming erected: several species contain the potent nerve poison tetrodotoxin.

3. a warm and lightweight jacket, coat, or vest with sections separated by quilted stitching and filled with down or synthetic fibers.

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puffer British  

/ ˈpʌfə /

noun

1. a person or thing that puffs

2. Also called: globefish.  any marine plectognath fish of the family Tetraodontidae, having an elongated spiny body that can be inflated to form a globe

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Etymology

Origin of puffer

First recorded in 1620–30; puff + -er ¹

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

puffer

He was also wearing a black cap and thick black-rimmed glasses and was seen carrying a black backpack and a black puffer jacket.

From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026

A tasselled blue Texan-style ensemble -- complete with a cowboy hat for the robot -- and a retro silver puffer jacket were among the looks showcased at the event on Thursday.

From Barron's ● May 29, 2026

The latest collection from men’s creative director Pharrell Williams continues to lean heavily into that visual identity on bags, puffer jackets and sunglasses.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 8, 2026

It also pushed into new categories—underwear, puffer jackets and golf shoes—but struggled to replicate the success of its first shoe.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2026

My sister reeled in a puffer fish that blew itself up into a spiny balloon—she said it looked just like her fourth-grade teacher.

From "Flush" by Carl Hiaasen