What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
blow
Example
She blew out the candles on her birthday cake. [blow: verb]
Example
The wind is blowing so strongly that it's difficult to walk. [blowing: present participle]
puff
Example
He took a puff of his cigarette before putting it out. [puff: noun]
Example
She puffed out her cheeks and blew the air out slowly. [puffed: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Blow is more commonly used than puff in everyday language. Blow has a wider range of applications and can be used in various contexts, such as blowing out candles, describing wind, or causing something to move with a current of air. On the other hand, puff is less common and is often associated with smoking or short bursts of air.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between blow and puff?
Both blow and puff can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, blow is generally more versatile and can be employed in a wider range of formality levels.
