tuft

[ tuhft ]

noun

1. a bunch or cluster of small, usually soft and flexible parts, as feathers or hairs, attached or fixed closely together at the base and loose at the upper ends.
2. a cluster of short, fluffy threads, used to decorate cloth, as for a bedspread, robe, bath mat, or window curtain.
3. a cluster of cut threads, used as a decorative finish attached to the tying or holding threads of mattresses, quilts, upholstery, etc.
4. a covered or finished button designed for similar use.
5. a cluster of short-stalked flowers, leaves, etc., growing from a common point.
6. a small clump of bushes, trees, etc.
7. a gold tassel on the cap formerly worn at English universities by titled undergraduates.
8. a titled undergraduate at an English university.

verb (used with object)

1. to furnish or decorate with a tuft or tufts.
2. to arrange in a tuft or tufts.
3. Upholstery. to draw together (a cushion or the like) by passing a thread through at regular intervals, the depressions thus produced being usually ornamented with tufts or buttons.

verb (used without object)

1. to form into or grow in a tuft or tufts.

tuft

/ tʌft /

noun

1. a bunch of feathers, grass, hair, etc, held together at the base
2. a cluster of threads drawn tightly through upholstery, a mattress, a quilt, etc, to secure and strengthen the padding
3. a small clump of trees or bushes
4. (formerly) a gold tassel on the cap worn by titled undergraduates at English universities
5. a person entitled to wear such a tassel

verb

1. tr to provide or decorate with a tuft or tufts
2. to form or be formed into tufts
3. to secure and strengthen (a mattress, quilt, etc) with tufts

Derived Forms

• ˈtufter, noun
• ˈtufty, adjective

Other Words From

• tufter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of tuft¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, variant of toft(e), from Middle French tofe, toffe, of uncertain origin; English excrescent t as in against

Word History and Origins

Origin of tuft¹

C14: perhaps from Old French tufe , of Germanic origin; compare top ¹

Example Sentences

In 2001, there were only 62 mature Iberian lynx — medium-sized, mottled brown cats with characteristic pointed ears and a pair of beard-like tufts of facial hair — on the Iberian Peninsula.

From Seattle Times

That record is part of what has made this 70-year-old professor, with his formidable intellect, unruly tufts of white hair and infectious enthusiasm, an unlikely media star.

From New York Times

Five missiles hit the facility that day, and workers were still clearing away rubble on Tuesday as snow-like tufts of poplar cotton fell through a hole in the roof.

From Seattle Times

The textiles are the finest of this period found in Europe, with details such as "pile tufts" that would have given garments a soft, almost velvety feel, and "tubular selvedge" for neat seams and hems.

From Science Daily

Pretty soon, you have ugly tufts of torn weed cloth all through the garden in addition to a bunch of weeds.

From Seattle Times