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Synonyms

sniffer

American  
[snif-er] / ˈsnɪf ər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that sniffs.

  2. a device or mechanism for detecting something.


sniffer British  
/ ˈsnɪfə /

noun

  1. a device for detecting hidden substances such as drugs or explosives, esp by their odour

  2. a computer program or device used to monitor, detect, and capture data on a network

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of sniffer

First recorded in 1860–65; sniff + -er 1


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.

See Examples For:

Trudeau’s government hired a film crew to capture two Black Hawk helicopters and a sniffer dog on patrol.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

As the sun was about to set, 25 Mexican soldiers with sniffer dogs showed up, one of many foreign crews rushing in to help Venezuela cope.

From Barron's ● Jun. 28, 2026

Other measures include establishing a containment zone around the site of the first US infection along the southern US border, and using sniffer dogs to detect the insects.

From BBC ● Jun. 5, 2026

Even though the chief sniffer, The Dog is no longer here, bitter melons still appear like clockwork reminding me that home, and my own, isn’t, aren’t too far away.

From Salon ● May 9, 2026

Truant officers and their sniffer dogs'd be put on my trail.

From "Black Swan Green" by David Mitchell

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