puffy
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈʌfi/
US
- /ˈpəfi/
Description
- Swollen
- Soft & rounded
- Inflated
Think of a cloud: light, airy, and puffy. That's the feeling this word gives. Something puffy isn't flat or hard; it looks full, soft, and a little rounded. You might talk about a puffy jacket on a cold day, or puffy cheeks after blowing bubbles. It can also mean swollen, like puffy ankles after a long flight or puffy eyes after a long night.
Puffy often suggests something that has filled out for a while or looks bigger because of air or swelling. A baker might make puffy pastries by adding air to the dough, or you might notice your cat's fur looking extra puffy in cold weather. It's all about that soft, full look. Think of marshmallow clouds: that's puffy!
The word "puffy" describes something that is swollen, filled with air, or soft and rounded in shape. It often suggests that something looks full rather than flat or firm. You might describe a warm comforter as puffy because it is thick, soft, and full. You could also say someone's eyes are puffy after crying, or that their face looks puffy when it is a little swollen.
It is often used for clothes, bedding, food, body parts, fur, and clouds. A puffy jacket looks thick and warm because it is filled and rounded. Puffy bread or pastries rise and become light and airy. Puffy fur stands out from the body and looks soft and full. When we talk about puffy eyes, hands, or ankles, we usually mean they are a bit swollen, often for a short time.
The idea behind the word is simple: something puffy has extra fullness. Sometimes that fullness comes from air, like in a pastry or coat. Sometimes it comes from swelling, like in eyes or fingers. The word usually gives a visual sense of softness, roundness, and volume. So whether you are describing a cloud, a winter jacket, a fresh roll, or a tired face, puffy paints a picture of something soft, full, and a little swollen or inflated.
Examples
- 1
Face appearance
I didn't sleep well, so my eyes look puffy this morning.
- 2
Clothing
She put on a puffy jacket before going out into the cold.
- 3
Weather
Big, puffy clouds drifted slowly across the sky.
- 4
Medical swelling
My face stayed puffy for a day after I had my tooth removed.
- 5
Clothing style
The dress has puffy sleeves, so it looks a little more dramatic.
Forms and spellings
3 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- puffyadjective
Forms
- puffiercomparativeadjective
- puffiestsuperlativeadjective