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snuff

1
[ snuhf ]
/ snʌf /
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verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
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In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

Idioms about snuff

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

Origin of snuff

1
First recorded in 1520–30; probably from Middle Dutch snuffen, snoffen

OTHER WORDS FROM snuff

snuff·ing·ly, adverb

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

Origin of snuff

2
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

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
  1. in good health or in good condition
  2. 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

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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