chuff
/tʃʌf/ (bre, ipa) · /tʃʌf/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈchəf/ (ame, mw)
chuff — verb
- chuffpresent simple I / you / we / they
- chuffs3rd person singular
- chuffing-ing form
- chuffedpast simple
1. to produce a short, forceful puffing noise, like air pushed out in bursts — used
to produce a short, forceful puffing noise, like air pushed out in bursts — used for a steam engine moving or for a person breathing heavily after physical effort
The steam engine chuffed up the hill, sending white smoke into the cold morning air.
intransitive + direction (up)
Maeve climbed three flights of stairs, chuffing hard as she wiped her forehead.
The little red train chuffed cheerfully through the countryside, past golden fields and quiet villages.
Bao chuffed loudly pushing the cart up the ramp, then stopped to catch his breath.
- puff
the most general and common word for short bursts of air or breath
- chug
specifically describes a steam engine's rhythmic sound; implies slower, more mechanical motion
- wheeze
focuses on a whistling or raspy breath sound, often from illness or exhaustion
- huff
suggests short, angry or impatient exhalations rather than effort
文法句型
chuff + adverb/preposition (direction or manner)
用法筆記
This is an onomatopoeic verb — the sound of the word resembles the noise it describes. It is often used in storytelling or descriptive writing but rarely in formal or academic contexts. Subject is usually a steam train or a person who has been exerting themselves physically.