Puff up: meaning, definitions and examples

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puff up

[ pʌf ʌp ]

^{Context #1}

inflating

To swell or expand by or as if by inflating. To make something seem more impressive or important than it really is.

Synonyms

blow up, exaggerate, inflate

Examples of usage

He used a pump to puff up the air mattress.
She tends to puff up her achievements in front of others.

^{Context #2}

becoming swollen

To become swollen or bloated, especially as a result of an allergic reaction or injury.

Synonyms

bloat, swell

Examples of usage

His face started to puff up after he was stung by a bee.

Translations

Translations of the word "puff up" in other languages:

🇵🇹 encher

🇮🇳 फूलना

🇩🇪 aufblähen

🇮🇩 mengembang

🇺🇦 роздуватися

🇵🇱 napompować

🇯🇵 膨らむ

🇫🇷 gonfler

🇪🇸 inflar

🇹🇷 şişirmek

🇰🇷 부풀다

🇸🇦 ينتفخ

🇨🇿 nafouknout

🇸🇰 nafúknuť

🇨🇳 膨胀

🇸🇮 napihniti

🇮🇸 blása upp

🇰🇿 ісіну

🇬🇪 გაბერვა

🇦🇿 şişmək

🇲🇽 inflar

Word origin

The term 'puff up' originated from the combination of 'puff' meaning to blow in short bursts and 'up' indicating an increase in size or importance. The usage of 'puff up' in English dates back to the 16th century, evolving to encompass both physical swelling and inflating with words or actions.