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snuff
1[ snuhf ]
/ snʌf /
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verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
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…
Idioms about snuff
- British. not easily imposed upon; shrewd; sharp.
- up to a certain standard; satisfactory: His performance wasn't up to snuff.
up to snuff, Informal.
Origin of snuff
1First recorded in 1520–30; probably from Middle Dutch snuffen, snoffen
OTHER WORDS FROM snuff
snuff·ing·ly, adverbWords 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
2First 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, nounWord 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
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.