snuff

¹ American  

[snuhf] / snʌf /

verb (used with object)

1. to draw in through the nose by inhaling.

2. to perceive by or as by smelling; sniff.

3. to examine by smelling, as an animal does.

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verb (used without object)

1. to draw air into the nostrils by inhaling, as to smell something; snuffle.

   After snuffing around, he found the gas leak.

2. to draw powdered tobacco into the nostrils; take snuff.

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

noun

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

2. smell, scent, or odor.

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

4. a pinch of such tobacco.

idioms

1. up to snuff,

   1. British. not easily imposed upon; shrewd; sharp.

   2. up to a certain standard; satisfactory.

      His performance wasn't up to snuff.

snuff ² American  

[snuhf] / snʌf /

noun

1. the charred or partly consumed portion of a candlewick.

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

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verb (used with object)

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

verb phrase

1. 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.

snuff ¹ British  

/ snʌf /

noun

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

2. a small amount of this

3. any powdered substance, esp one for sniffing up the nostrils

4. informal

   1. in good health or in good condition

   2. not easily deceived

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verb

1. (intr) to use or inhale snuff

snuff ² British  

/ snʌf /

verb

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

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

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

4. informal to die

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noun

1. the burned portion of the wick of a candle

snuff ³ British  

/ snʌf /

verb

1. (tr) to inhale through the nose

2. (esp of an animal) to examine by sniffing

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noun

1. an act or the sound of snuffing

snuff More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing snuff

• up to par (snuff)

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Other Word Forms

• snuffer noun
• snuffingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of snuff¹

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

Origin of snuff²

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

Example Sentences

He has high standards and can be brisk in cutting off lawyers not up to snuff.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

As NBC News reported, zero members of the grand jury found the charges up to snuff.

From Slate • Feb. 14, 2026

Jesus squandered another chance moments later with a hesitant touch that allowed Joachim Andersen to snuff out the danger with a last-ditch tackle.

From Barron's • Dec. 22, 2025

Vitinha, a stellar performer in PSG's Champions League win, was the decisive performer with two stunning strikes to snuff out the Spurs lead, one with his right foot another with his left.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

Pa Anozie nudged a pinch of snuff up his nostrils before he began telling the story.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Related Words

• extinguish