sniffle

[ snif-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, snif·fled, snif·fling.

1. to sniff repeatedly, as from a head cold or in repressing tears:

   She sniffled woefully.

noun

1. an act or sound of sniffling.
2. (the) sniffles, a condition, as a cold, marked by sniffling:

   This draft is giving me the sniffles.

sniffle

/ ˈsnɪfəl /

verb

1. intr to breathe audibly through the nose, as when the nasal passages are congested

noun

1. the act, sound, or an instance of sniffling

Derived Forms

• ˈsniffler, noun
• ˈsniffly, adjective

Other Words From

• sniffler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sniffle¹

First recorded in 1625–35; sniff + -le

Example Sentences

"If my little boy has got a sniffle I can't afford to take the risk if it's going to cost me 0.1 or 0.2 seconds because I know that that victory will be worth it if he understands, and one day he will."

From BBC

However, once the coronavirus began to spread, many wondered if presenteeism would wane as the public grew more fearful of those with a cough or sniffle — but that didn’t seem to last long.

From Salon

“It's terrible. Too terrible,” she said with a sniffle.

From Literature

People might initially shrug off a little sniffle or a tiny sore throat.

From Los Angeles Times

For some of us, Covid is just a sniffle - not even enough to make you go digging around in the bathroom cabinet to see if there is a lateral flow test hiding in there.

From BBC

Related Words

• choke
• snort
• whoop