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.

---

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.

---

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

---

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

---

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

---

noun

1. an act or the sound of snuffing

snuff More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing snuff

• up to par (snuff)

---

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

“I don’t want to snuff out the Shabbat candles. I want their light to shine bright and openly.”

From Literature

She was a candle that had been snuffed out.

From Literature

Along with acknowledging the changes to the report, Moore also said the city failed to adequately ensure that the Jan. 1, 2025 Lachman fire was fully snuffed out.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Chargers quarterback Herbert produced a near flawless performance to set up a convincing win against a Cowboys team whose postseason hopes were snuffed out by Philadelphia's win over Washington on Saturday.

From Barron's

Related Words

• extinguish