fluff

Fluff is a term with several related meanings centered on soft, light, and loose material or content. As a noun, it denotes tiny, light fibers or particles, including the soft coating of birds (down), plant seed tufts, and the loose fibers shed by textiles. It also refers to loose, fine material such as lint that accumulates on clothing or in corners. As a verb, to fluff means to make something appear or feel softer or fuller, or to puff up or arrange in a fluffy way. In material science and everyday use, fluff can provide insulation or serve as stuffing in pillows, jackets, and toys.

In media and culture, fluff describes light, noncontroversial, or entertaining content. A fluff piece is a short, human-interest or feel-good news article intended to amuse or reassure readers rather than to investigate deeply. In fan fiction and online communities, fluff denotes stories that focus on warmth, affection, and happy endings, as opposed to action or tragedy.

Etymology traces the word to senses of softness and looseness in English, with later extensions to figurative uses for insubstantial content. The term often carries a neutral to descriptive tone, though in some contexts it may imply that material is superficial or padding rather than substantive.