A plushie is a soft, stuffed toy made from fabric and filled with materials like cotton or polyester. The word comes from “plush,” the fuzzy, velvety fabric often used to make these toys feel cuddly and huggable. While people sometimes call them stuffed animals or soft toys, plushie has become a popular term, especially for ones modeled after characters from movies, video games, or anime.

Plushies can look like almost anything: animals, fantasy creatures, food items, or even everyday objects with cute faces. Some kids collect plushies of their favorite characters, while others have one special plushie they've kept since they were little. A well-loved plushie might lose some stuffing, get stained, or have its fur matted down from years of hugs, but that can make it even more precious to its owner.

Today, plushies range from small keychain-sized toys to giant ones as big as a person. Some people enjoy sewing their own plushies, learning patterns and techniques to create custom designs. Whether displayed on a shelf or squeezed tight during a scary movie, plushies offer comfort and companionship in soft, huggable form.