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.

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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

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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

Example Sentences

I wish for the wind to shift, to pull the fresh ocean air inland, instead of wafting the smell of rotting fish from the barrels down the ramp over me.

From Literature

But, as we have established, his snout was as keen as ever, and it did not miss the familiar scent of sweet, rotting trash that wafted toward him.

From Literature

Tse Yuk-wa, who lived on the third floor near where the fire is believed to have started, said smoke wafted into her kitchen but she initially assumed it was dust from the construction.

From Barron's

The smell of dill wafting through the air.

From Los Angeles Times

For an answer she wafted her ears gently at me, and groaned deep inside herself.

From Literature

Related Words

• drift
• float