poofter
Poofter (noun) means a derogatory slang term (chiefly British and Australian) for a gay man, especially one perceived as effeminate. Example: “The word appears in older British sitcoms but is now widely considered offensive.”
How to use poofter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned British/Australian slur for a gay man.
Offensive and dated; avoid using it — it is included here for dictionary completeness, not as a recommended word.
Word forms
- Plural
- poofters
Etymology
From "poof," an earlier slur for a gay man, plus the agent suffix "-er."