sniffle

[snif-uhl]

verb (used without object)

sniffled, sniffling 

1. to sniff repeatedly, as from a head cold or in repressing tears.

   She sniffled woefully.

noun

1. an act or sound of sniffling.

2. (the) sniffles, a condition, as a cold, marked by sniffling.

   This draft is giving me the sniffles.

sniffle

/ ˈsnɪfəl /

verb

1. (intr) to breathe audibly through the nose, as when the nasal passages are congested

noun

1. the act, sound, or an instance of sniffling

Other Word Forms

• sniffler noun
• sniffly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sniffle¹

First recorded in 1625–35; sniff + -le

Example Sentences

“I don’t really know where you go from here,” Cain said, sniffling.

From Salon

José stared at the ground, sniffling, pulling up his shirt to wipe away tears.

From Los Angeles Times

Anecdotally, it's not unusual to have a bit of a sniffle at work.

From BBC

While playing a game of “Name that Tagline” with Evans, Wilson struggled to contain his sniffling and sipped on his tall glass of milk until it was empty.

From Salon

It made parents more wary of illness, so when children get sniffles, they want to keep them off.

From BBC

Related Words

• choke 
• snort 
• whoop