powderpuff

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A soft pad used for putting face or body powder on the skin.

   Grammar: Plural is powderpuffs: she packed two powderpuffs.

   Patterns

   • a powderpuff and a compact

   She dabbed her cheeks with a powderpuff before the photo.

   The baby powder came with a soft pink powderpuff.

   A velvet powderpuff sat in the dressing table drawer.

2. 2nouncountableinformaldisapprovingold-fashioned

   A person, usually a man, seen as weak or too soft; used as an insult.

   Grammar: Informal and insulting; use carefully.

   Patterns

   • a powderpuff

   The coach would not tolerate anyone called a powderpuff on his team.

   The old film uses 'powderpuff' as an insult for a timid man.

   He was teased as a powderpuff for avoiding the rough game.

3. 3adjectivebefore a nounAmerican

   Describing something light, soft or of low intensity, especially a sports event played by women in schools.

   Grammar: Used before nouns: a powderpuff football game.

   Patterns

   • powderpuff football

   The seniors played a powderpuff football game at homecoming.

   The powderpuff tournament raised money for charity.

   She joined the powderpuff team for fun.

Word forms

Common combinations

soft powderpuff

A soft powderpuff spread the powder evenly.

powderpuff football

Powderpuff football is a school tradition in some US towns.

apply with a powderpuff

Apply the powder with a powderpuff, not your fingers.

powderpuff game

The school held a powderpuff game before the dance.

velvet powderpuff

A velvet powderpuff came in the gift set.

Synonyms and how they differ

powder puff

This is the more common open spelling of the same item.

applicator

Applicator is a general word for any tool for spreading a product, while powderpuff is specifically for powder.

sponge

A sponge is used with liquid or cream makeup, whereas a powderpuff is meant for dry powder.

weakling

Weakling is the standard insult for a physically weak person, while powderpuff adds the idea of being soft or pampered.

Word family

powder noun

fine dry particles, especially cosmetic

puff noun

a soft pad or a small gust

powder verb

to cover with powder

powdery adjective

like powder or covered with powder

Commonly confused: powderpuff or puff pastry?

Practice

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