tuft
noun
\ ˈtəft
\
\
Definition of tuft
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a
: a small cluster of elongated flexible outgrowths attached or close together at the base and free at the opposite ends
especially
: a growing bunch of grasses or close-set plants
b
: a bunch of soft fluffy threads cut off short and used as ornament
3
: mound
4
: any of the projections of yarns drawn through a fabric or making up a fabric so as to produce a surface of raised loops or cut pile
tuft
verb
tufted;
tufting;
tufts
Definition of tuft (Entry 2 of 2)
1a
: to provide or adorn with a tuft
b
: to make (a fabric) of or with tufts
2
: to make (something, such as a mattress) firm by stitching at intervals and covering the depressions produced on the surface with tufts
: to form into or grow in tufts
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Other Words from tuft
Noun
tufted
\ ˈtəf-təd
\
adjective
\
adjective
tufty
\ ˈtəf-tē
\
adjective
\
adjective
Verb
tufter
noun
Examples of tuft in a Sentence
Noun
A tuft of hair stuck out from under his hat.Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Red squirrels are significantly smaller, with reddish fur and tufts of hair on the tips of their ears. — Michigan Wildlife Council, Detroit Free Press, "How Michigan squirrels boost conservation work across the state," 28 Aug. 2019 In front of it, the ground was springy, carpeted with a dense layer of pine needles and studded with tufts of grass. — Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, "A Trailblazing Plan to Fight California Wildfires," 19 Aug. 2019 Pierre Birnbaum, one of France’s most revered historians, has great tufts of graying hair and kind eyes. — James Mcauley, Town & Country, "The Haunting of Paris: Georges Mandel and the Long Legacy of Nazi Violence," 6 Aug. 2019 Mykal McEldowney, IndyStar Green tufts of algae collect in the beards of Michael and Zac Linne as the brothers, with their bellies in the muddy water, slowly crawl along a shallow drainage ditch that cuts through a Dubois County cornfield. — Tim Evans, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana noodling: Inside the Hoosier tradition of catching snapping turtles by hand," 14 July 2019 The feline fever dream that is the Cats trailer hit the internet yesterday, exploding tufts of CGI fur over everyone's feeds. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "The Cats Trailer Is Actually Good. Here's Why.," 19 July 2019 In the new movie, the tuft has an even wilder journey, nabbing multiple minutes of screen time as it gets consumed by a giraffe, becomes part of a dung beetle’s haul and is carried by ants before Rafiki finds it. — Raisa Bruner, Time, "Here's How the New Lion King Is Different From the Original," 17 July 2019 Thanks to this latest exploit, evolutionary biologist Catherine La Farge arrived centuries later at Teardrop's melting edge to find the tuft of the species Aulacomnium turgidum finally free from its icy entombment. — Daniel Ackerman, Anchorage Daily News, "Ancient life awakens amid thawing ice caps and permafrost," 8 July 2019 Thanks to this latest exploit, evolutionary biologist Catherine La Farge arrived centuries later at Teardrop’s melting edge to find the tuft of the species Aulacomnium turgidum finally free from its icy entombment. — Daniel Ackerman, BostonGlobe.com, "Ancient life awakens amid thawing ice caps and permafrost," 7 July 2019Recent Examples on the Web: Verb
Here, the northern fur seals number more than half a million strong, and avian species include horned and tufted puffins, red-legged kittiwakes, and crested auklets. — National Geographic, "Fun Facts About the Bering and Chukchi Seas," 26 Mar. 2019 Patrons sit on tufted-cushion bar stools supported by an imposing bird’s claws grasping a brass ball. — Brady Macdonald, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Raised by Wolves brings hidden bar concept to suburban mall," 11 May 2018 With over 94,000 likes and 11 million views, Goober, and his pals Mickey in a teal blue tufted back armchair, and Tango, with his red chair with tall arms, are featured in an 10 second video that has gone viral. — Christina Lords, idahostatesman, "West Valley Humane Society seeks armchair donations for doggos after seeing viral video | Idaho Statesman," 7 Mar. 2018 The two dining rooms are softly lit and soundproofed, thanks to carpet on the floor, linens on the tables and tufted fabric on the walls. — Tom Sietsema, Washington Post, "Tom Sietsema’s 7 favorite places to eat (and drink) right now — plus one to avoid," 24 June 2019 Here, the northern fur seals number more than half a million strong, and avian species include horned and tufted puffins, red-legged kittiwakes, and crested auklets. — National Geographic, "Fun Facts About the Bering and Chukchi Seas," 26 Mar. 2019 Bench at end of bed, Courtland; tufted armchair, Madison—Hickory Chair (T); hickorychair.com. — House Beautiful, "October 2014 Issue Product Guide," 16 Sep. 2014 Even a neutral carpet, like this soft hand-tufted option, can instantly pull a room together. — Brigitt Earley, Good Housekeeping, "18 Pieces from Walmart’s New MoDRN Collection That’ll Upgrade Every Room in Your Home," 20 May 2019 With beautiful details, like a tufted back and retro rolling losange arms, the furnishing looks good in any room. — Danielle Tullo, House Beautiful, "This Chair Is Like A Giant Fuzzy Sweater You Can Sit On," 2 Nov. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tuft.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for tuft
tuft
noun
English Language Learners Definition of tuft
: a small bunch of feathers, hairs, grass, etc., that grow close together
See the full definition for tuft in the English Language Learners Dictionary
tuft
noun
\ ˈtəft
\
\
Kids Definition of tuft
1
: a small bunch of long flexible things (as hairs or blades of grass) growing close together
tuft
noun
\ ˈtəft
\
\