fluff

1 of 2

noun

ˈfləf 

1

: down entry 7 sense 1

2

: something fluffy

dandelion fluff

3

: something inconsequential

The article was pure fluff about celebrities.

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

Synonyms of fluff

Noun

• fur
• pile

Verb

• fumble
• stumble
• trip
• slip up
• blunder

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

Noun

The cinna-fluff pretzel, for example, is a cinnamon-sugar pretzel that has marshmallow fluff and nutella on it. — Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

After more than a year of use, the pillow can slope slightly overnight; a quick fluff brings it largely back to shape. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2026

Verb

At Villa Park last year, Elanga fluffed the final action, but not on this occasion at St James’ Park. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Hen of the woods are said to resemble a chicken with its feathers fluffed up, hence the nickname. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

perhaps blend of flue (fluff) and puff

First Known Use

Noun

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

1875, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for fluff

• buff
• cuff
• duff
• gruff
• hough
• huff
• luff
• muff
• puff
• rough
• ruff
• scruff

Kids Definition

fluff

1 of 2 noun

ˈfləf 

1

: nap entry 3, down

2

: something fluffy

fluff

2 of 2 verb

: to make or become fluffy