noun
puffing
Puffing (noun) means the act of breathing heavily or emitting puffs of smoke or air. Example: “He arrived at the top, puffing and red-faced.”
noun
1
The act of breathing heavily or emitting puffs of smoke or air.
"He arrived at the top, puffing and red-faced."
2
Exaggerated, promotional praise not meant to be taken as literal fact, especially in advertising or sales.
"The salesman's claims were dismissed as mere puffing."
How to use puffing
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHeavy breathing, or (in a legal/sales sense) exaggerated sales talk that no one is meant to take literally.
Common pairings
huffing and puffing
sales puffing
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Word forms
- Plural
- puffings
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He arrived at the top, _____ and red-faced.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for puffing
See all rhymes for puffing →Frequently asked questions
What does “puffing” mean?
The word “puffing” means the act of breathing heavily or emitting puffs of smoke or air. In plain terms, heavy breathing, or (in a legal/sales sense) exaggerated sales talk that no one is meant to take literally.
How do you use “puffing” in a sentence?
Here is “puffing” used in a sentence: “He arrived at the top, puffing and red-faced.”
What part of speech is “puffing”?
“Puffing” is a noun.
How many meanings does “puffing” have?
“Puffing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of breathing heavily or emitting puffs of smoke or air.