puffiness
|puff-i-ness|
/ˈpʌfɪnəs/
state of being puffy (swollen or fluffy)
Etymology
'puffiness' originates from English, built from the verb/noun 'puff' plus the adjectival suffix '-y' (forming 'puffy') and the noun-forming suffix '-ness'.
'puff' appears in Middle English (variants such as 'poufen'/'puffen') as an imitative/expressive word meaning 'to blow' or 'to swell'; this gave rise to 'puffy' (adjective) and later 'puffiness' (noun).
Initially related to the action or sound of 'puff' (blowing or a short gust) and the idea of being inflated; it evolved into meanings describing physical swelling and a soft, rounded fullness.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
swelling or slight enlargement of a part of the body, especially around the eyes (a swollen, bloated appearance).
She put on cold compresses to reduce the puffiness under her eyes.
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Noun 2
the quality of being light, airy, or fluffy (often used for food, fabric, or padding — the state of having a soft, rounded fullness).
The baker was proud of the puffiness of his croissants.
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Last updated: 2025/08/13 23:47