poof1
/pʊf
/(also pouf)
exclamation
1Used to describe a sudden disappearance: once you’ve used it, poof—it’s gone...
- Sachi and I were still arguing about completely pointless things like what it means to fall head over heels in love, when all of the sudden, poof!
- It is said that when a neighbor accidentally killed Gotti's young son when he struck the poor kid with his car, that the neighbor subsequently disappeared, poof!
- Within half an hour, the persistent pain in my right hip joint just disappeared - poof! - and has yet to return.
2Used to express contemptuous dismissal: ‘Oh, poof!’ said Will. ‘You say that every year.’...
- Oh poof - you're no fun anymore.
- Oh, poof! You do not understand a little soldierly enthusiasm.
Origin
Early 19th century: symbolic.
poof2
/pʊf/ /puːf /(also pouf or poove)
noun British informal, offensive
An effeminate or homosexual man.
Derivatives
poofy
Origin
Mid 19th century: perhaps an alteration of the archaic noun puff in the sense 'braggart'.