[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/puff/)

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# puff

noun (a puff, puffs); verb (puff, puffs, puffed, puffing)

«puff» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A short burst of air, smoke, wind or steam. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/puff/#m1)
2. (verb) To breathe quickly and hard, for example after running. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/puff/#m2)
3. (verb) To blow out air or smoke in small bursts. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/puff/#m3)
4. (verb) To swell up or make bigger: «puff out your cheeks». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/puff/#m4)
5. A light pastry or food filled with air: «cream puff». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/puff/#m5)

### In the lessons

In stories: «I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down» (The Three Little Pigs); steam trains puff. In PE, children are puffed (out of breath) after running. In health, an inhaler puff for asthma. Phrases: «out of puff», «puff out», «puff up», «a puff of smoke».

### Examples

- A puff of smoke came from the chimney. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/puff/#x1)
- I was puffing after running up the hill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/puff/#x2)
- The wolf huffed and puffed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/puff/#x3)
- Puff out your cheeks like a fish. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/puff/#x4)
- The bird puffed up its feathers to keep warm. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/puff/#x5)
- She took a puff of her asthma inhaler. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/puff/#x6)
- The magician vanished in a puff of smoke. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/puff/#x7)
- The Frog puffed up still more. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/puff/#x8)

### Note

Past: puffed. «Puffed» or «out of puff» (UK, Australia) = out of breath. «Puffy» eyes are swollen.

## In Jewish tradition

In the verses it means to be swollen with pride, or to blow at someone with scorn.

**Interpretation.** Habakkuk says the proud soul is puffed up, but the righteous live by faith. This is a central line in Jewish teaching on trust in God.

### Examples

- Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright in him; but the righteous shall live by his faith. (Prophets HAB.2.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/puff/#x1)
- 'For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise', saith the LORD; 'I will set him in safety at whom they puff.' (Writings PSA.12.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/puff/#x2)

### Note

Past: puffed. «Puffed» or «out of puff» (UK, Australia) = out of breath. «Puffy» eyes are swollen.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «puff» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/P/puff/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«puff» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/puff.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «puff» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/P/puff/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«puff» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/puff.html) on Mova free.