cream puff

or cream·puff

[ kreem puhf ]

noun

1. a nearly hollow shell made from choux pastry and filled with custard or whipped cream.
2. Slang.
   1. a weak or timid person.
   2. a gay man.
3. Slang. a vehicle or machine that has been kept in unusually good condition or is very easy to operate:

   Wow, this old Rolls drives like a dream. What a cream puff!

cream puff

noun

1. a shell of light pastry with a custard or cream filling
2. informal.
   an effeminate man

Word History and Origins

Origin of cream puff¹

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

The “play-play” ethnic gangster is but another variation on the supposed tough guy being exposed as a cream puff.

From The Daily Beast

You're apt to make him stop his Arabing and hang around the spot where the cream puff grows.

From Project Gutenberg

Each freckle must be the same as a little burnt cream puff kept in the oven too long.

From Project Gutenberg

The girl laughed a merry laugh, then hurried away for a cream-puff.

From Project Gutenberg

A real love-letter ought to be like a cream puff with a drop of dynamite in it.

From Project Gutenberg

Benny looks and acts about as much like Mr. Robert as a cream puff looks like a ham sandwich.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• profiterole