waft

[ waft, wahft ]

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

waft

/ 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 calledwaif nautical (formerly) a signal flag hoisted furled to signify various messages depending on where it was flown

Derived Forms

• ˈwaftage, noun

Other Words From

• wafter noun
• un·wafted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of waft¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of waft¹

C16 (in obsolete sense: to convey by ship): back formation from C15 wafter a convoy vessel, from Middle Dutch wachter guard, from wachten to guard; influenced by waff

Example Sentences

People seem very upset about the idea that the government is spending money spraying bobcat pee on rats, but here’s the thing: There are many rodent studies that waft bobcat pee, cat hair, fox odor, and more at mice.

From Slate

The agency has said explicitly that the two companies’ promises of lower prices post-merger — and higher wages for the workers who don’t lose their jobs in the process — aren’t worth the breeze they waft in on.

From Los Angeles Times

So chants of “Lock Her Up” waft through the air without being tethered to facts or reality.

From Salon

Singaporean poet Hsien Min Toh's poem, Durians, opens by referring to the fruit's "unmistakeable waft: like garbage and onions and liquid petroleum gas all mixed in one".

From Salon

She skips down the pitch to skipper Nida Dar, it's a half-hearted waft and keeper Muneeba Ali does the rest.

From BBC

Related Words

• drift
• float