fluff

UK: /ˈflʌf/ US: /flʌf/ ,(fluf )

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

fluff /flʌf/   n. 

1. [uncountable] light downy particles, such as of cotton.
2. something light or frivolous and not substantial:
   [uncountable] The book is pure fluff, but fun to read.
3. [countable] an error or blunder, esp. an actor's memory lapse in the delivery of lines.

v. 

4. to make fluffy:
   [~ + up + object] He fluffed up his thinning hair.
5. to make a mistake in:
   [~ + object] fluffed his speech in the first act.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

fluff  (fluf ), n. 

1. light, downy particles, as of cotton.
2. a soft, light, downy mass:
   a fluff of summer clouds.
3. something of no consequence:
   The book is pure fluff, but fun to read.
4. an error or blunder, esp. an actor's memory lapse in the delivery of lines.

v.t. 

5. to make into fluff;
   shake or puff out (feathers, hair, etc.) into a fluffy mass (often fol. by up):
   to fluff up the sofa pillows.
6. to make a mistake in:
   The leading man fluffed his lines.

v.i. 

7. to become fluffy;
   move, float, or settle down like fluff.
8. to make a mistake, esp. in the delivery of lines by a performer;
   blunder.

• perh. blend of, blended flue² and puff 1780–90

fluff′er, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fluff / flʌf/ noun

1. soft light particles, such as the down or nap of cotton or wool
2. any light downy substance
3. a mistake, esp in speaking or reading lines or performing music
4. a young woman (esp in the phrase a bit of fluff)

verb

1. to make or become soft and puffy by shaking or patting; puff up
2. to make a mistake in performing (an action, dramatic speech, music, etc)

Etymology: 18th Century: perhaps from flue²