puffed up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "puffed up" is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is behaving in an arrogant or conceited manner, or to describe something that is inflated or overly exaggerated. Example 1: The CEO's constant bragging about his success made him seem puffed up and insincere. Example 2: The politician's speech was full of puffed up promises and grandiose statements. Example 3: The pastry chef's soufflé was perfectly puffed up and light. Example 4: The cat puffed up its tail, a clear sign of aggression.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

It's the puffed up ego.

The New York Times

"Just puffed up with pride".

The New York Times

Brydon looks suddenly puffed up with victory.

The Guardian

Reassuringly less puffed up than its rivals.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's not the puffed up body that's off-putting.

The New York Times

The bird puffed up to three times its size.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Wearing that puffed-up old thing".

Independent

Unless that, too, is a puffed-up figure.

The Economist

More of that would do Germany's puffed-up political journalism much good.

The Economist

You know the dollar's in trouble when our puffed-up real estate starts looking cheap.

The New Yorker

Bankers remember him as a big spender with puffed-up ambitions.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "puffed up" to describe both physical inflation (like cheeks or dough) and metaphorical inflation (like ego or pride), but ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "puffed up with pride" or "puffed up cheeks".

Common error

Avoid using "puffed up" when a simpler word like "full" or "expanded" would suffice. Overusing "puffed up" can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose or pretentious. For example, instead of saying "The balloon was puffed up", consider "The balloon was full".

Linguistic Context

Puffed up functions primarily as an adjective, often used in a predicative or attributive way. It describes a state of being enlarged or inflated, either physically (like "puffed up cheeks") or metaphorically (like "puffed up ego"). Ludwig confirms its validity and common usage, supporting its role in describing both tangible and intangible qualities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "puffed up" is a versatile adjective used to describe both physical inflation and metaphorical arrogance or exaggeration. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct and the phrase is commonly used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing with this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context is clear to avoid ambiguity and to avoid using the phrase when a simpler word would suffice. Related phrases include "inflated", "arrogant", and "conceited". Overall, "puffed up" is a valuable addition to one's vocabulary, offering a nuanced way to describe a range of situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inflated

Focuses on the state of being filled with air or gas, similar to the physical sense of "puffed up".

swollen

Indicates an increase in size, often due to fluid retention or inflammation.

bloated

Implies an uncomfortable swelling, usually in the abdomen, but can be used metaphorically.

arrogant

Highlights the prideful and self-important aspect of being "puffed up" with ego.

conceited

Similar to arrogant, emphasizing an excessive belief in one's own abilities or worth.

pompous

Suggests a display of self-importance, often through speech or behavior.

bombastic

Refers to speech or writing that is exaggerated and theatrical.

grandiose

Indicates an excessive scale or ambition, similar to "puffed up" claims or plans.

overblown

Signifies something that is exaggerated or out of proportion.

distended

Describes something that is stretched or enlarged, often unnaturally.

FAQs

How can I use "puffed up" in a sentence?

You can use "puffed up" to describe physical inflation, as in "The bread "puffed up" in the oven", or to describe someone's inflated ego, as in "He became "puffed up" after his promotion".

What is a synonym for "puffed up" when describing arrogance?

When describing arrogance, you can use synonyms like "arrogant", "conceited", or "pompous" instead of "puffed up".

Is it correct to say someone is "puffed up with pride"?

Yes, it is correct to say someone is "puffed up with pride". This phrase is commonly used to describe someone who is overly proud or boastful.

What's the difference between "puffed up" and "inflated"?

"Inflated" generally refers to being filled with air or gas, while "puffed up" can refer to this, but also describes an exaggerated sense of self-importance or pride.