Pant vs. Puff — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 30, 2024
Panting involves deep, rapid breathing usually due to exertion, while puffing denotes short, quick breaths or the act of emitting smoke or steam.
Difference Between Pant and Puff
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Panting is a physical response often observed during physical exertion or stress, characterized by deep, rapid breaths aimed at increasing oxygen intake. This is common in humans and animals, especially after running or engaging in intense physical activity. On the other hand, puffing can refer to several actions, including taking short, quick breaths, which might be seen in someone catching their breath, or the act of emitting smoke, steam, or air in short bursts. For instance, a person might puff on a cigarette, or a steam engine puffs out steam.
While panting is primarily a biological response to the need for increased oxygen and thermoregulation, especially noticeable after strenuous activities, puffing can be both a voluntary and involuntary action, depending on the context. Puffing might occur as part of breathing patterns during light activities or as a deliberate action when smoking or blowing.
Panting serves a crucial physiological role in cooling the body and increasing oxygen levels in the blood, essential for recovery after physical exertion. Conversely, puffing, when related to respiration, can be a sign of light exertion or an effort to control one’s breathing, but when related to emitting substances, it's more about the expulsion of air, smoke, or steam.
The sound and visual cues of panting and puffing are distinct; panting is characterized by heavy, audible breaths and sometimes an open mouth, especially in animals. Puffing, however, especially when related to smoke or steam, is visually marked by the emission of these substances and might be accompanied by quieter, quick breaths if related to breathing.
In terms of health implications, panting is generally a healthy response to physical activity, indicating the body’s effort to manage increased demands. However, excessive panting without clear cause can be a sign of health issues. Puffing, especially in the context of smoking, has known health risks, including respiratory issues and diseases.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Rapid, deep breathing typically due to exertion
Short, quick breaths or emitting smoke/steam
Primary Cause
Physical exertion, stress
Light exertion, smoking, blowing
Physiological Role
Increases oxygen intake, cools the body
Can indicate light exertion, controls breathing, expulsion of air/smoke/steam
Sound/Visual Cues
Heavy, audible breaths, open mouth in animals
Quiet breaths, visible smoke/steam
Health Implications
Indicates healthy response or possible health issues if excessive
Smoking-related puffing has known health risks
Compare with Definitions
Pant
To breathe quickly and repeatedly.
The dog panted in the heat.
Puff
To take short, quick breaths.
She puffed after jogging to the park.
Pant
Rapid, deep breathing due to exertion.
After the marathon, the runners were panting heavily.
Puff
An expression of light exertion or effort.
With a puff, she blew out the birthday candles.
Pant
To long eagerly; yearn.
He panted for a break after the long journey.
Puff
To emit smoke or steam in short bursts.
The old train puffed as it began to move.
Pant
A manifestation of being out of breath.
She started panting after climbing the stairs.
Puff
A way to describe the act of smoking by drawing on a cigarette.
He took a puff of his cigarette and exhaled.
Pant
A symbol of physical effort or urgency.
Panting, he reached the finish line just in time.
Puff
The act of blowing air on something.
She puffed on the hot soup to cool it down.
Pant
To breathe rapidly in short gasps, as after exertion.
Puff
A short, explosive burst of breath or wind
A puff of wind swung the weathercock round
Pant
To beat loudly or heavily; throb or pulsate.
Puff
A light pastry case, typically one made of puff pastry, containing a sweet or savoury filling
A jam puff
Pant
To give off loud puffs, especially while moving.
Puff
A review of a work of art, book, or theatrical production, especially an excessively complimentary one
The publishers sent him a copy of the book hoping for a puff
Pant
To long demonstratively; yearn
Was panting for a chance to play.
Puff
A gathered mass of material in a dress or other garment.
Pant
To utter hurriedly or breathlessly
I panted my congratulations to the winner of the race.
Puff
A powder puff
She sent her a box of dusting powder with a swansdown puff
Pant
A short labored breath; a gasp.
Puff
Breathe in repeated short gasps
Exercises that make you puff
Pant
A throb; a pulsation.
Puff
Swell or become swollen
When he was in a temper, his cheeks puffed up and his eyes shrank
He suddenly sucked his stomach in and puffed his chest out
Pant
A short loud puff, as of steam from an engine.
Puff
Advertise with exaggerated or false praise
Publishers have puffed the book on the grounds that it contains new discoveries
Pant
An outer garment that covers the body below the waist, usually to the ankles, and is divided into sections to fit each leg separately
She decided to wear pants instead of a skirt. He bought a new pair of pants.
Puff
A short forceful exhalation of breath.
Pant
Underpants.
Puff
A short sudden gust of wind.
Pant
A quick breathing; a catching of the breath; a gasp: the panting of animals such as a dog with their tong hung out- as a form of thermoregulation.
Puff
A brief sudden emission of air, vapor, or smoke.
Pant
(figurative) Eager longing.
Puff
A short sibilant sound produced by a puff.
Pant
(obsolete) A violent palpitation of the heart.
Puff
An amount of vapor, smoke, or similar material released in a puff.
Pant
(fashion) A pair of pants trousers or underpants.
Puff
An act of drawing in and expelling the breath, as in smoking tobacco.
Pant
(used attributively as a modifier) Of or relating to pants.
Pant leg
Puff
A swelling or rounded protuberance.
Pant
Any public drinking fountain.
Puff
Puff pastry.
Pant
(ambitransitive) To breathe quickly or in a labored manner, as after exertion or from eagerness or excitement; to respire with heaving of the breast; to gasp.
Puff
A light soft pad for applying powder or lotion.
Pant
(intransitive) To long eagerly; to desire earnestly.
Puff
A gathered, protruding portion of fabric.
Pant
To long for (something); to be eager for (something).
Puff
A light padded bed covering.
Pant
(intransitive) Of the heart, to beat with unnatural violence or rapidity; to palpitate.
Puff
An approving or flattering recommendation.
Pant
(intransitive) To sigh; to flutter; to languish.
Puff
A piece of writing, as on the jacket of a book, containing often exaggerated praise, used for promotional purposes.
Pant
(intransitive) To heave, as the breast.
Puff
(Genetics) A localized region of swelling in certain chromosomes indicating the active synthesis of RNA.
Pant
(intransitive) To bulge and shrink successively, of iron hulls, etc.
Puff
To blow in puffs.
Pant
To breathe quickly or in a labored manner, as after exertion or from eagerness or excitement; to respire with heaving of the breast; to gasp.
Pluto plants for breath from out his cell.
Puff
To come forth in puffs
Steam puffing from an engine.
Pant
To long eagerly; to desire earnestly; - often used with for or after.
As the hart panteth after the water brooks.
Who pants for glory finds but short repose.
Puff
To breathe forcefully and rapidly
Huffed and puffed up the stairs.
Pant
To beat with unnatural violence or rapidity; to palpitate, or throb; - said of the heart.
Puff
To emit puffs.
Pant
To sigh; to flutter; to languish.
The whispering breezePants on the leaves, and dies upon the trees.
Puff
To take puffs on smoking material
Puffing on a cigar.
Pant
To breathe forth quickly or in a labored manner; to gasp out.
There is a cavern where my spiritWas panted forth in anguish.
Puff
To swell or seem to swell, as with pride or air. Often used with up
He puffed up and glared at the importuning questioner.
Pant
To long for; to be eager after.
Then shall our hearts pant thee.
Puff
To emit or give forth in puffs.
Pant
A quick breathing; a catching of the breath; a gasp.
Puff
To impel with puffs.
Pant
A violent palpitation of the heart.
Puff
To smoke (a cigar, for example).
Pant
A single leg of a pair of pants. See pants.
Puff
To inflate or distend
The wind puffed out the sail.
Pant
Of or pertaining to pants.
Puff
To fill with pride or conceit
The compliment puffed up his ego.
Pant
The noise made by a short puff of steam (as from an engine)
Puff
To publicize with often exaggerated praise
Publishers who puff their new books.
Pant
A short labored intake of breath with the mouth open;
She gave a gasp and fainted
Puff
(countable) A sharp exhalation of a small amount of breath through the mouth.
Pant
Breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted;
The runners reached the finish line, panting heavily
Puff
(uncountable) The ability to breathe easily while exerting oneself.
Out of puff
Pant
Utter while panting, as if out of breath
Puff
(countable) A small quantity of gas or smoke in the air.
Puff of smoke
Puff
(countable) A sudden but small gust of wind, smoke, etc.
Puff
An act of inhaling smoke from a cigarette, cigar or pipe.
Puff
The drug cannabis.
Puff
(countable) A flamboyant or alluring statement of praise.
Puff
A portion of fabric gathered up so as to be left full in the middle.
A sleeve with a puff at the shoulder
Puff
(countable) A light cake filled with cream, cream cheese, etc.
Cream puff
Puff
A puffball.
Puff
A powder puff.
Puff
A puffer, one who is employed by the owner or seller of goods sold at auction to bid up the price; an act or scam of that type.
Puff
(genetics) A region of a chromosome exhibiting a local increase in diameter.
Puff
Life.
Puff
(intransitive) To emit smoke, gas, etc., in puffs.
Puff
(intransitive) To pant.
Puff
To advertise.
Puff
To blow as an expression of scorn.
Puff
To swell with air; to be dilated or inflated.
Puff
To breathe in a swelling, inflated, or pompous manner; hence, to assume importance.
Puff
To drive with a puff, or with puffs.
Puff
To repel with words; to blow at contemptuously.
Puff
To cause to swell or dilate; to inflate.
A bladder puffed with air
Puff
To inflate with pride, flattery, self-esteem, etc.; often with up.
Puff
To praise with exaggeration; to flatter; to call public attention to by praises; to praise unduly.
Puff
A sudden and single emission of breath from the mouth; hence, any sudden or short blast of wind; a slight gust; a whiff.
Puff
Anything light and filled with air. Specifically: (a) A puffball. (b) kind of light pastry. (c) A utensil of the toilet for dusting the skin or hair with powder.
Puff
An exaggerated or empty expression of praise, especially one in a public journal.
Puff
To blow in puffs, or with short and sudden whiffs.
Puff
To blow, as an expression of scorn; - with at.
It is really to defy Heaven to puff at damnation.
Puff
To breathe quick and hard, or with puffs, as after violent exertion.
The ass comes back again, puffing and blowing, from the chase.
Puff
To swell with air; to be dilated or inflated.
Puff
To breathe in a swelling, inflated, or pompous manner; hence, to assume importance.
Then came brave Glory puffing by.
Puff
To drive with a puff, or with puffs.
The clearing north will puff the clouds away.
Puff
To repel with words; to blow at contemptuously.
I puff the prostitute away.
Puff
To cause to swell or dilate; to inflate; to ruffle with puffs; - often with up; as, a bladder puffed with air.
The sea puffed up with winds.
Puff
To inflate with pride, flattery, self-esteem, or the like; - often with up.
Puffed up with military success.
Puff
To praise with exaggeration; to flatter; to call public attention to by praises; to praise unduly.
Puff
Puffed up; vain.
Puff
A short light gust of air
Puff
A light inflated pastry or puff shell
Puff
Exaggerated praise (as for promotional purposes)
Puff
Bedding made of two layers of cloth filled with stuffing and stitched together
Puff
A soft spherical object made from fluffy fibers; for applying powder to the skin
Puff
Thick cushion used as a seat
Puff
A slow inhalation (as of tobacco smoke);
He took a puff on his pipe
He took a drag on his cigarette and expelled the smoke slowly
Puff
Forceful exhalation through the nose or mouth;
He gave his nose a loud blow
He blew out all the candles with a single puff
Puff
Smoke and exhale strongly;
Puff a cigar
Whiff a pipe
Puff
Suck in or take (air);
Draw a deep breath
Draw on a cigarette
Puff
Breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted;
The runners reached the finish line, panting heavily
Puff
Make proud or conceited;
The sudden fame puffed her ego
Puff
Praise extravagantly;
The critics puffed up this Broadway production
Puff
Speak in a blustering or scornful manner;
A puffing kind of man
Puff
To swell or cause to enlarge,
Her faced puffed up from the drugs
Puff
Blow hard and loudly;
He huffed and puffed as he made his way up the mountain
Puff
Gathered for protruding fullness;
Puff sleeves
Common Curiosities
Is puffing always related to breathing?
No, puffing can also refer to emitting smoke, steam, or air in short bursts.
Can both humans and animals pant?
Yes, both humans and animals can pant, especially after strenuous activities.
What is the physiological role of panting?
Panting helps to cool the body and increase oxygen levels in the blood, essential for recovery after physical exertion.
Can puffing have health implications?
Yes, especially when related to smoking, puffing can lead to respiratory issues and diseases.
Is panting a healthy response?
Yes, panting is a healthy response to physical activity but can indicate health issues if it's excessive without clear cause.
What causes panting?
Panting is typically caused by physical exertion or stress that necessitates increased oxygen intake.
What are the visual cues of panting and puffing?
Panting may show an open mouth, especially in animals, while puffing is marked by the visible emission of smoke or steam.
What does puffing signify in terms of breathing?
In terms of breathing, puffing signifies taking short, quick breaths, often after light exertion.
How do the sounds of panting and puffing differ?
Panting is characterized by heavy, audible breaths, while puffing is usually quieter, with the sound often associated with the action of emitting substances.
Can panting be a sign of a health issue?
Excessive panting without a clear cause can be a sign of underlying health issues.
How can panting affect an individual’s body?
Panting can cool the body and aid in recovery by increasing oxygen intake after exertion.
What distinguishes panting from puffing in terms of cause?
Panting is primarily a response to physical exertion, whereas puffing can be due to light exertion, smoking, or the act of blowing air or emitting substances.
Is puffing related to any specific activities?
Yes, puffing is often related to smoking, blowing on something, or light physical exertion.
What does it mean when someone puffs on a cigarette?
It refers to drawing on a cigarette to inhale the smoke.
Why do people and animals pant?
To increase oxygen intake and regulate body temperature during or after exertion.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
