sniff

[snif]

verb (used without object)

1. to draw air through the nose in short, audible inhalations.

2. to clear the nose by so doing; sniffle.

3. to smell by short inhalations.

4. to show disdain, contempt, etc., by or as by sniffing.

verb (used with object)

1. to perceive by or as by smelling.

   to sniff a scandal.

2. to inhale through the nose.

   to sniff the air.

noun

1. an act of sniffing; a single, short, audible inhalation.

2. the sound made by such an act.

3. a scent or odor perceived.

   a sniff of perfume.

sniff

/ snɪf /

verb

1. 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

2. to perceive or attempt to perceive (a smell) by inhaling through the nose

noun

1. the act or sound of sniffing

2. a smell perceived by sniffing, esp a faint scent

Other Word Forms

• sniffing noun
• sniffingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sniff¹

1300–50; Middle English; back formation from snivel

Word History and Origins

Origin of sniff¹

C14: probably related to snivelen to _snivel

Example Sentences

Sweeney recalled sweating through a training run in the mid-’80 when a guy behind him sniffed and asked, “Pete, did you drink gin last night?”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It sniffs out patterns invisible to the eye, predicts moves before the market even breathes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Harcourt we know, who sports black jeans and gets into bar fights just to feel something, is astounded that Peacemaker didn’t immediately sniff out the rot in this utopia.

Read more on Salon

A sniff of a rotting old chair frightens Indy so much, he wets the rug.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

What he lacked was a modicum of a chance, a sniff at goal.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• detect 
• inhale 
• smell