puffy

American  

[puhf-ee] / ˈpʌf i /

adjective

puffier, puffiest

1. gusty.

2. short-winded; panting.

3. inflated, distended, or swollen.

4. fat; plump.

5. conceited.

6. bombastic.

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ˈpuffy British  

/ ˈpʌfɪ /

adjective

1. short of breath

2. swollen or bloated

   a puffy face

3. pompous or conceited

4. blowing in gusts

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Other Word Forms

• puffily adverb
• puffiness noun

Etymology

Origin of puffy

First recorded in 1590–1600; puff + -y ¹

Example Sentences

I started to whisper a comment about the big dresses and all the puffy wigs, but his attention was already locked on the picture.

From Literature

He looks so earnest, in his doorway, eyes still puffy, smile still lopsided.

From Literature

It’s a fitting way to conclude an experience that’s like being slowly asphyxiated by puffy clouds of baby powder.

From The Wall Street Journal

Her eyes don’t look as big and bright without it, and the skin around them is puffy.

From Literature

Flipping the pages but not reading, Jeff went on about her puffy arms and stringy hair and something he couldn’t even bring himself to say, but just made noises about.

From Literature