snuff

[ snuhf ]

/ snʌf /

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See synonyms for snuff on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to draw in through the nose by inhaling.

to perceive by or as by smelling; sniff.

to examine by smelling, as an animal does.

verb (used without object)

to draw air into the nostrils by inhaling, as to smell something; snuffle: After snuffing around, he found the gas leak.

to draw powdered tobacco into the nostrils; take snuff.

Obsolete. to express disdain, contempt, displeasure, etc., by sniffing (often followed by at).

noun

an act of snuffing; an inhalation through the nose; a sniff.

smell, scent, or odor.

a preparation of tobacco, either powdered and taken into the nostrils by inhalation or ground and placed between the cheek and gum.

a pinch of such tobacco.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about snuff

up to snuff, Informal.

British. not easily imposed upon; shrewd; sharp.
up to a certain standard; satisfactory: His performance wasn't up to snuff.

Origin of snuff

First recorded in 1520–30; probably from Middle Dutch snuffen, snoffen

OTHER WORDS FROM snuff

snuff·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby snuff

snubbed, snubby, snubfin dolphin, snub-nosed, snuck, snuff, snuffbox, snuff-dipping, snuffer, snuff film, snuffle

Other definitions for snuff (2 of 2)

snuff²

[ snuhf ]

/ snʌf /

noun

the charred or partly consumed portion of a candlewick.

a thing of little or no value, especially if left over.

verb (used with object)

to cut off or remove the snuff of (candles, tapers, etc.).

Verb Phrases

snuff out,

to extinguish: to snuff out a candle.
to suppress; crush: to snuff out opposition.
Informal. to kill, murder, or bring to a sudden end: Many lives were snuffed out during the epidemic.

Origin of snuff

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English noun snof(fe), snuffe; further origin uncertain

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use snuff in a sentence

He could imagine himself an Islamist avenger like that masked monster in black who appears in the ISIS snuff videos.
The Muslim Convert Behind America’s First Workplace Beheading|Michael Daly|September 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He packed a large pinch of the snuff against his bottom gum.
Short Stories from The Daily Beast: Four Hundred Grand|Elliot Ackerman|July 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Even as Valle sat in court this week, the 364 various groups on DFN included one called Cannibalism, Snuff with 835 members.
Cannibal Cop’s Dark Fetishes Detailed in Grisly Trial Testimony|Michael Daly|February 27, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Look in my face while I snuff the sidle of evening, Talk honestly, for no one else hears you, and I stay only a minute longer.
A Eulogy for Marie Colvin|Katrina Heron|March 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Pelosi and Reid will work to snuff out any legislation that could force Obama to take unpopular stands.
Freshmen Hit the Hill|Samuel P. Jacobs|January 4, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Here are pretty goings on—a pinch of your snuff, Perker, my boy—never were such times, eh?
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
Joe,” said Mr. Wardle, after an unsuccessful search in all his pockets, “is my snuff-box on the sofa?
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
Some of the tribes inhabiting the district of the lower Amazon indulge in snuff-taking.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Portuguese snuff seemed to be in favor and was delicately perfumed.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Some varieties of snuff were named after the scents employed in flavoring them.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.

British Dictionary definitions for snuff (1 of 3)

snuff¹

/ (snʌf) /

verb

(tr) to inhale through the nose

(when intr, often foll by at) (esp of an animal) to examine by sniffing

noun

an act or the sound of snuffing

Derived forms of snuff

snuffer, noun

Word Origin for snuff

C16: probably from Middle Dutch snuffen to snuffle, ultimately of imitative origin

British Dictionary definitions for snuff (2 of 3)

snuff²

/ (snʌf) /

noun

finely powdered tobacco for sniffing up the nostrils or less commonly for chewing

a small amount of this

any powdered substance, esp one for sniffing up the nostrils

up to snuff informal

in good health or in good condition
mainly British not easily deceived

verb

(intr) to use or inhale snuff

Word Origin for snuff

C17: from Dutch snuf, shortened from snuftabale, literally: tobacco for snuffing; see snuff 1

British Dictionary definitions for snuff (3 of 3)

snuff³

/ (snʌf) /

verb (tr)

(often foll by out) to extinguish (a light from a naked flame, esp a candle)

to cut off the charred part of (the wick of a candle, etc)

(usually foll by out) informal to suppress; put an end to

snuff it British informal to die

noun

the burned portion of the wick of a candle

Word Origin for snuff

C14 snoffe, of obscure origin

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with snuff

snuff

In addition to the idiom beginning with snuff

snuff out

also see:

up to par (snuff)

snuff

Idioms about snuff

Origin of snuff

OTHER WORDS FROM snuff

Words nearby snuff

Other definitions for snuff (2 of 2)

Origin of snuff

Words related to snuff

How to use snuff in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for snuff (1 of 3)

Derived forms of snuff

Word Origin for snuff

British Dictionary definitions for snuff (2 of 3)

Word Origin for snuff

British Dictionary definitions for snuff (3 of 3)

Word Origin for snuff

Other Idioms and Phrases with snuff