Definition of puff

• n. - A sudden and single emission of breath from the mouth; hence, any sudden or short blast of wind; a slight gust; a whiff.
• n. - Anything light and filled with air.
• n. - A puffball.
• n. - a kind of light pastry.
• n. - A utensil of the toilet for dusting the skin or hair with powder.
• n. - An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially one in a public journal.
• n. - To blow in puffs, or with short and sudden whiffs.
• n. - To blow, as an expression of scorn; -- with at.
• n. - To breathe quick and hard, or with puffs, as after violent exertion.
• n. - To swell with air; to be dilated or inflated.
• n. - To breathe in a swelling, inflated, or pompous manner; hence, to assume importance.
• v. t. - To drive with a puff, or with puffs.
• v. t. - To repel with words; to blow at contemptuously.
• v. t. - To cause to swell or dilate; to inflate; to ruffle with puffs; -- often with up; as, a bladder puffed with air.
• v. t. - To inflate with pride, flattery, self-esteem, or the like; -- often with up.
• v. t. - To praise with exaggeration; to flatter; to call public attention to by praises; to praise unduly.
• a. - Puffed up; vain.