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

• sniffingly adverb
• sniffing noun

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

Prof Thomas has been training his dog Rue, who sniffed out the first one this summer.

From BBC

"You still want to push in club football with the hope of maybe getting a sniff," he said.

From BBC

Pegula was not without her own service wobbles, throwing away a double break lead in the sixth game as Krejcikova sniffed another unlikely comeback.

From BBC

They spent a promising 10 minutes camped in Canada's 22 with wings Lisa Neumann and Jasmine Joyce-Butchers both having a sniff of an opportunity.

From BBC

The five-time Super Bowl champions enter their 30th season since they last lifted the Lombardi Trophy, having not had a sniff of success in the previous 29.

From BBC

Related Words

• detect 
• inhale 
• smell