fluff

1 of 2

noun

1
2
: something fluffy
dandelion fluff
3
: something inconsequential
4
: blunder
especially : an actor's lapse of memory

fluff

2 of 2

verb

fluffed; fluffing; fluffs

transitive verb

1
: to make fluffy
fluff the pillows
birds fluffing up their feathers
2
a
: to spoil by a mistake : botch
b
: to deliver badly or forget (one's lines) in a play

intransitive verb

1
: to become fluffy
2
: to make a mistake
especially : to forget or bungle one's lines in a play

Examples of fluff in a Sentence

Noun Her sweater was covered with fluff. The movie was pure fluff. Her latest article has the usual fluff about movie stars and gossip. Verb The wind fluffed his hair. The golfer fluffed another shot. The actor kept fluffing the same line.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
But his once-puffy appearance now looks a bit different: The top of his body is still covered in brown fluff, but his lower body is sporting sleek white plumage. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Nov. 2024 To adjust the loft to your liking, use one of the two zippers to tighten or loosen the cover so the fill fluffs or loosens based on your preferences. Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024
Verb
Once out of the bag, a quick shake fluffed up the down, which was a dream to sleep on. Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2024 The top section of the tree is easily attached and the branches can be fluffed. Balsam Hill also offers video tutorials and customer support to assist you with setup if need more help. Kasey Caminiti, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fluff 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps blend of flue (fluff) and puff

First Known Use

Noun

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1835, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fluff was in 1790

Dictionary Entries Near fluff

Cite this Entry

“Fluff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fluff. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

fluff

1 of 2 noun
1
2
: something fluffy

fluff

2 of 2 verb
: to make or become fluffy

More from Merriam-Webster on fluff

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!