Tuft

/tʌft/

Meaning & Definition

noun
A bunch or cluster of short fibers, feathers, or grass, often tied or growing closely together.
The gardener admired the bright tuft of flowers blooming at the edge of the garden.
A small, rounded bunch of hair or other material, often found as part of a larger item.
He styled his hair into a small tuft on the top of his head.
A cluster or group of structures or objects.
The scientist studied a tuft of cells under the microscope.
verb
To form into a tuft; to make or arrange in tufts.
She decided to tuft the fabric along the edge to add texture.

Etymology

Middle English, probably from Old French 'toffe', meaning 'a bunch'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

tufted grass
Grass with a dense clump appearance.
tuft of hair
A small bunch of hair that stands up.
tuft your hair
To style hair into small bunches or spikes.

Related Words

bunch
A collection of things, typically of the same kind.
clump
A group of things clustered together.

Slang Meanings

A hairstyle that is styled to stand in a tuft.
He was rocking a tuft today.
A term for something that is out of place or sticks out awkwardly.
That shirt with the tuft looks a bit odd.