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
This winter is giving Minnesotans the worst of both worlds: frigid air without the fluff. Nick Halter, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025 Finding that without having to sift through a bunch of fluff is getting harder. Ars Technica, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
Once the wash is complete, pop it in the dryer on a medium/low heat to remove any remaining moisture and to fluff it back up. Cody Godwin, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2025 Keep In Mind Upkeep may be more involved than other options since this pillow is spot-clean only and the company recommends fluffing the pillow daily to distribute the fill and maintain its shape evenly. Lindsay Modglin, Verywell Health, 16 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 28 Jan. 2025.

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!