sniff
verb (used without object)
to draw air through the nose in short, audible inhalations.
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.
Now researchers are teaching it to smell, with the aim of sniffing out potential health concerns and even helping restore people’s lost sense of smell.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
When Hindenburg Omens occur in clusters, they tend to be more effective at sniffing out near-term weakness.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 15, 2026
It upset some, with one commenter writing, “I’m sitting over here crying for Jackie and Shadow. And he’s off sniffing other feathers.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Premier League clubs came sniffing, with Southampton and Crystal Palace - the club that had rejected him six years prior - among those interested.
From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026
I wind between the tree trunks, sniffing after a mouse I heard in a patch of dry grass.
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
