noun
tuft
tuhft
Tuft (noun) means a small bunch of hair, grass, feathers, or similar strands bunched together at the base. Example: “A tuft of white hair stuck up from the back of his head.”
noun
1
A small bunch of hair, grass, feathers, or similar strands bunched together at the base.
"A tuft of white hair stuck up from the back of his head."
"The bird had a distinctive orange tuft on its crown."
verb
1
To secure padding in place with stitched clusters of thread, as in a mattress or cushion.
"The upholsterer tufted the headboard to give it a classic buttoned look."
How to use tuft
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small clump of hair, grass, or similar strands sticking up together.
Common pairings
tuft of grass
tuft of hair
tufted cushion
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Word forms
- Plural
- tufts
- Third person singular
- tufts
- Past tense
- tufted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ of white hair stuck up from the back of his head.
Etymology
From Old French touffe ("tuft"), related to Old English þūf, going back to a Germanic root also connected to Latin tūber ("lump, swelling").
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “tuft” mean?
The word “tuft” means a small bunch of hair, grass, feathers, or similar strands bunched together at the base. In plain terms, a small clump of hair, grass, or similar strands sticking up together.
How do you pronounce “tuft”?
“Tuft” is pronounced tuhft (/tʌft/ in IPA).
How do you use “tuft” in a sentence?
Here is “tuft” used in a sentence: “A tuft of white hair stuck up from the back of his head.”
What part of speech is “tuft”?
Depending on how it is used, “tuft” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tuft” come from?
The word “tuft” comes from Latin. From Old French touffe ("tuft"), related to Old English þūf, going back to a Germanic root also connected to Latin tūber ("lump, swelling").
How many meanings does “tuft” have?
“Tuft” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small bunch of hair, grass, feathers, or similar strands bunched together at the base.
