noun
puffer
PUH-fuh
noun
1
Any of several fish that inflate their bodies with water or air when threatened.
"The puffer swelled up like a spiky balloon when the diver got close."
2
A thick, quilted, insulated jacket.
"She wore a bright red puffer to keep warm on the ski slope."
3
A small handheld inhaler used for asthma or similar conditions.
"He reached for his puffer as soon as his chest got tight."
How to Use Puffer
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: a puffer fish, a puffer jacket, or an asthma inhaler.
Common pairings
puffer fish
puffer jacket
use a puffer
Word Forms
puffers plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “puffer”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ swelled up like a spiky balloon when the diver got close.
Etymology
From puff plus the agent suffix -er.