waft

American  

[waft, wahft] / wæft, wɑft /

verb (used with object)

1. to carry lightly and smoothly through the air or over water.

   The gentle breeze wafted the sound of music to our ears.

2. to send or convey lightly, as if in flight.

   The actress wafted kisses to her admirers in the audience.

3. Obsolete. to signal to, summon, or direct by waving.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to float or be carried, especially through the air.

   The sound wafted on the breeze. The music wafted across the lake.

noun

1. a sound, odor, etc., faintly perceived.

   a waft of perfume.

2. a wafting movement; light current or gust.

   a waft of air.

3. the act of wafting.

4. Nautical. Also a signal given by waving a flag.

waft British  

/ wɒft, wɑːft /

verb

1. to carry or be carried gently on or as if on the air or water

---

noun

1. the act or an instance of wafting

2. something, such as a scent, carried on the air

3. a wafting motion

4. Also called: waif.  nautical (formerly) a signal flag hoisted furled to signify various messages depending on where it was flown

Other Word Forms

• unwafted
  adjective
• waftage
  noun
• wafter
  noun

Etymology

Origin of waft

1535–45; back formation from late Middle English waughter armed escort vessel < Dutch or Low German wachter watchman; in some senses confused with waff

Explanation

When your grandmother cooks her famous spaghetti sauce, many wonderful smells may waft from the kitchen. In other words, the air will gently carry this familiar aroma throughout the house. Though the verb waft usually involves movement through air, it has watery roots. A "wafter" was a convoy ship in the 16th century, and these words may have derived from the similar looking wave. Waft can refer to scents, sounds, and even smoke. So, if your grandmother’s sauce begins to burn, smoke could waft from the kitchen as well.

Example Sentences

God shall determine the end—II But for thine answer, friend, Waft soft words low!

From The Seven Plays in English Verse by Sophocles

Bear, ye echoes, to our patriots, Waft, ye breezes, our sad parting.

From The Song of Lancaster, Kentucky to the statesmen, soldiers, and citizens of Garrard County. by Potts, Eugenia Dunlap

Stars which perhaps ten thousand years ago Waned and grew cold at Thy almighty word Waft their light hitherward.

From Eyes of Youth A Book of Verse by Padraic Colum, Shane Leslie, A.O. by Various

Naiad, hid beneath the bank By the willowy river-side, Where Narcissus gently sank, Where unmarried Echo died, Unto thy serene repose Waft the stricken Anter�s.

From Ionica by Cory, William (AKA William Johnson)

Waft, waft, ye winds, his story, And you, ye waters, roll, Till like a sea of glory, It spreads from pole to pole.

From The Moravians in Labrador by Anonymous

Related Words

• drift
• float