puffer

noun

puff·​er ˈpə-fər 

plural puffers

1

: any of a family (Tetraodontidae) of chiefly tropical scaleless marine bony fishes which can distend themselves to a globular form and most of which are highly poisonous : puffer fish

2

: a garment (such as a jacket) made of heavy quilted material

Yet this flood of fashion has a downside. … Can you layer a puffer over a suit without looking, well, portly?

—Jacob Gallagher

—often used before another noun

Roche, a slightly unkempt 54-year-old, wore black ski pants, a puffer jacket and sunglasses.

—Irina Aleksander

The new men's look … incorporates sporty items such as hoodies, puffer vests or jackets, camouflage patterns, sneakers, polo shirts and bomber jackets.

—Ray A. Smith

Once destined only for … occasions where highly practical (but often ugly) outerwear is required, the puffer coat has now infiltrated the world of high fashion.

—Otago (New Zealand) Daily Times (online)

These makers seem to be in alignment; the puffer scarf is the practical and stylish answer to frigid weather.

—Rachel Besser

3

: someone or something that puffs

Surrounded by two-pack-a-day cigarette puffers, he was a cigar smoker.

—Russell Baker

When it's wet or humid, lubricate sticky locks with a graphite puffer or talcum.

—Shannon Lush and Jennifer Fleming

Examples of puffer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Time and Tru Mixed Media Puffer Jacket With temperatures declining, bulk up your outerwear with a new puffer jacket. —Ali Faccenda, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025

Out now, the debut collection consists of unisex puffer jackets, vests and coats pegged to five NFL teams: the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 7 Jan. 2025

Instead of throwing on your beloved puffer jacket, consider elevating the outfit with an oversized coat or blazer. —Antonio Fuentes, Glamour, 28 Dec. 2024

One of the many sweaters Target sells is a pullover with Snoopy wearing a puffer jacket or a red sweater covered in green and white Christmas trees. —Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing puffer

• puffer fish

Kids Definition

puffer

noun

puff·​er ˈpəf-ər 

1

: one that puffs

2

: puffer fish

Medical Definition

puffer

noun

puff·​er ˈpəf-ər 

: puffer fish