sniff

[ snif ]

verb (used without object)

1. to draw air through the nose in short, audible inhalations.
2. to clear the nose by so doing; sniffle.
3. to smell by short inhalations.
4. to show disdain, contempt, etc., by or as by sniffing.

verb (used with object)

1. to perceive by or as by smelling:

   to sniff a scandal.

2. to inhale through the nose:

   to sniff the air.

noun

1. an act of sniffing; a single, short, audible inhalation.
2. the sound made by such an act.
3. a scent or odor perceived:

   a sniff of perfume.

sniff

/ snɪf /

verb

1. to inhale through the nose, usually in short rapid audible inspirations, as for the purpose of identifying a scent, for clearing a congested nasal passage, or for taking a drug or intoxicating fumes
2. whenintr, often foll by at to perceive or attempt to perceive (a smell) by inhaling through the nose

noun

1. the act or sound of sniffing
2. a smell perceived by sniffing, esp a faint scent

Derived Forms

• ˈsniffing, nounadjective

Other Words From

• sniffing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sniff¹

1300–50; Middle English; back formation from snivel

Word History and Origins

Origin of sniff¹

C14: probably related to snivelen to snivel

Example Sentences

To test this, the researchers recorded brain activity in mice during behaviors that alter breathing, such as sniffing, swimming, and drinking, as well as during conditions that induce fear and anxiety.

From Science Daily

To help detect those boats is a dog, Adele, trained by the UK’s National Crime Agency to sniff out rubber.

From BBC

On Wednesday the Sun newspaper published pictures it says were taken during this summer's European Championship, alleging they appear to show Coote sniffing a white powder through a rolled up US bank note.

From BBC

The author and contributing editor to Vanity Fair was searching for material to add to a new edition of her Babitz biography, “Hollywood’s Eve,” but wound up sniffing out an entirely new project.

From Los Angeles Times

It was the last chance they got to sniff a try and it passed them by.

From BBC

Related Words

• detect
• inhale
• smell