1 B2 neutral
to become swollen or fuller, often from air, heat, or irritation
"Her eyes puffed up after she touched the cat."
both
puff up
B2 neutral both transitive/intransitive
to swell, inflate, or make something seem bigger or more important
In plain English
to get bigger and rounder, or make something sound better than it is
What does "puff up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
to make something fuller or rounder with air or heat
"The oven caused the bread to puff up nicely."
both
3 C1 idiomatic informal
to praise or advertise someone or something too much
"The review puffed the new restaurant up as if it were world-famous."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
Literally, to fill up with puffs of air.
Actually means
to get bigger and rounder, or make something sound better than it is
Usage tip
Used for eyes, faces, pastries, coats, and also for exaggerated praise or promotion.
Words that pair with "puff up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
face eyes jacket pastry ego article
How to conjugate "puff up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
puff up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
puffs up
he/she/it
Past simple
puffed up
yesterday
Past participle
puffed up
have + pp
-ing form
puffing up
continuous
Hear "puff up" in the wild
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Other ways to say "puff up"
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