sniff
Americanverb (used without object)
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to draw air through the nose in short, audible inhalations.
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to clear the nose by so doing; sniffle.
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to smell by short inhalations.
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to show disdain, contempt, etc., by or as by sniffing.
verb (used with object)
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to perceive by or as by smelling.
to sniff a scandal.
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to inhale through the nose.
to sniff the air.
noun
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an act of sniffing; a single, short, audible inhalation.
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the sound made by such an act.
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a scent or odor perceived.
a sniff of perfume.
verb
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to inhale through the nose, usually in short rapid audible inspirations, as for the purpose of identifying a scent, for clearing a congested nasal passage, or for taking a drug or intoxicating fumes
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to perceive or attempt to perceive (a smell) by inhaling through the nose
noun
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the act or sound of sniffing
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a smell perceived by sniffing, esp a faint scent
Other Word Forms
- sniffing noun
- sniffingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of sniff
1300–50; Middle English; back formation from snivel
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This is the evidence Robinson believes can be England's X-factor at the World Cup, irrespective of those "purists" who may sniff at such an approach.
From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026
Having failed to even reach the playoffs for the past three years, nobody in September gave new head coach Mike Vrabel and his team a sniff of winning what would be a record-breaking seventh title.
From Barron's • Feb. 3, 2026
Rampling crackles as a matriarch who can sniff out her kids’ lies and insecurities but has the good manners not to say anything.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 24, 2025
In some cases, the officers are meant to sniff out any scent of treason or collaboration.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 22, 2025
Every time he put his head down to sniff something, another scent captured his attention.
From "Mystery Map (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #3)" by Franklin W. Dixon
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
