pouf

¹

[ poof ]

noun

1. a high headdress with the hair rolled in puffs, worn by women in the late 18th century.
2. an arrangement of the hair over a pad; puff.
3. a puff of material as an ornament on a dress or headdress.
4. Also pouffe. a broad, backless, usually round, cushionlike seat, often large enough for several people.

pouf

²

[ poof, poof ]

noun

, British Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive.

1. poof ².

pouf

/ puːf /

noun

1. a large solid cushion, usually cylindrical or cubic in shape, used as a seat
2. 1. a woman's hair style, fashionable esp in the 18th century, in which the hair is piled up in rolled puffs
   2. a pad set in the hair to make such puffs
3. a stuffed pad worn under panniers
4. derogatory.
   pʊfpuːf less common spellings of poof

Other Words From

• poufed pouffed adjective
• poufy pouffy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pouf¹

From French, dating back to 1810–20; puff

Word History and Origins

Origin of pouf¹

C19: from French; see puff

Example Sentences

“Instead of a large cocktail table in your hang-out zone, include a collection of small tables and a pouf or ottoman to continue with the theme of keeping your space flexible, “ she says.

From Seattle Times

Still, he notes, when he calls up memories of the phrase “Andrew’s a pouf” from desktop scrawls and overheard conversations at school, the aftereffects of those painful adolescent experiences linger on into adulthood.

From Los Angeles Times

Her hair is a tangled pouf at the back of her head.

From Literature

And who can resist them baked up in a bubbly pie, juicy cobbler or crisp when served warm and topped with melting vanilla ice cream or a pouf of cool whipped cream?

From Seattle Times

Included are a swivel armchair and pouf upholstered in Rubelli fabrics, a table with an embossed leather top that doubles as a tray and three lamps produced in collaboration with Barovier & Toso, which has been turning out glass lighting for seven centuries in Mr. Nichetto’s birthplace, Murano, near Venice.

From New York Times

Related Words

• bedspread
• blanket
• comforter