puffball

[ puhf-bawl ]

noun

1. any of various basidiomycetous fungi, especially of the genus Lycoperdon and allied genera, characterized by a ball-like fruit body that emits a cloud of spores when broken.

puffball

/ ˈpʌfˌbɔːl /

noun

1. any of various basidiomycetous saprotrophic fungi of the genera Calvatia and Lycoperdon, having a round fruiting body that discharges a cloud of brown spores when mature

Word History and Origins

Origin of puffball¹

First recorded in 1640–50; puff + ball ¹

Example Sentences

It’s a yummy puffball crispy cracker that you can put anything in and eat.

From Eater

Henry knew it was exactly the same white puffball that he had noticed in Violet's vase that very morning.

From Project Gutenberg

The puffball very quickly increased in size and weight so that it was all the turtle could bear.

From Project Gutenberg

Atop the low cliff a red puffball glistened in the morning light.

From Project Gutenberg

It was as if each man at every step crushed with his toe a puffball that discharged its powdery particles upward into his face.

From Project Gutenberg

Every cloud from a ripe puffball consists of thousands of spores started on the wings of the wind for an unknown journey.

From Project Gutenberg