waft
to carry lightly and smoothly through the air or over water: The gentle breeze wafted the sound of music to our ears.
to send or convey lightly, as if in flight: The actress wafted kisses to her admirers in the audience.
Obsolete. to signal to, summon, or direct by waving.
to float or be carried, especially through the air: The sound wafted on the breeze. The music wafted across the lake.
a sound, odor, etc., faintly perceived: a waft of perfume.
a wafting movement; light current or gust: a waft of air.
the act of wafting.
Also waif. Nautical. a signal given by waving a flag.
Origin of waft
1Other words from waft
- wafter, noun
- un·waft·ed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use waft in a sentence
The thick fish smell wafted through the soupy air, and my skin went clammy.
On Friday, a few clouds of teargas wafted over the swings and slides.
The smell of barbecue wafted through the air of an absolutely beautiful, spring-like midwinter day.
As the smell of tear gas wafted through the air, more than 200 bullet casings and magazines littered the floor.
Aurora Cops Relive the Horror at James Holmes Hearing | Christine Pelisek | January 8, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTTear gas wafted down the street behind him as he moved to a side road for a short break.
Cairo Salafists Say Violent Embassy Protests Are Hurting Their Cause | Mike Giglio | September 14, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Bits of paper blew aimlessly about, wafted by a little, feverish breeze, which rose in spasms and died away.
Bella Donna | Robert HichensIn the tropics the tobacco field may be scented from afar, as its odors are wafted on the breeze.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.Light gleamed on the staircase, and breathless voices were wafted up to the two men.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael SabatiniAnd his speech, softer than the softest breath of a zephyr wafted in a wood, sweet and mysterious, reached my ear.
Frdric Mistral | Charles Alfred DownerAs we floated into the atmosphere of this world a soft, delicious music was wafted into the air like a perfume, a dream.
Urania | Camille Flammarion
British Dictionary definitions for waft
/ (wɑːft, wɒft) /
to carry or be carried gently on or as if on the air or water
the act or an instance of wafting
something, such as a scent, carried on the air
a wafting motion
Also called: waif nautical (formerly) a signal flag hoisted furled to signify various messages depending on where it was flown
Origin of waft
1Derived forms of waft
- waftage, noun
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
Browse