Dictionary.com

snuff

1
[ snuhf ]
/ snʌf /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR snuff ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

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Idioms for 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, snuff is from the Dutch word snuffen

OTHER WORDS FROM snuff

snuff·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby snuff

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

Definition 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 or murder: Many lives were snuffed out during the epidemic.

Origin of snuff

2
1350–1400; Middle English snoffe< ?
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to snuff

extinguish, detect

Example sentences from the Web for snuff

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

Medical definitions for snuff

snuff
[ snŭf ]

v.

To inhale something audibly through the nose; sniff.

n.

A preparation of finely pulverized tobacco that can be drawn up into the nostrils by inhaling.
A medicated powder inhaled through or blown into the nose.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

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.