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Sniff Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sniff

[snɪf ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

action

To inhale air audibly through the nose in a single quick breath, especially to express contempt or disapproval.

Synonyms

snort, snuff, snuffle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sniff

Can also imply being slightly disdainful or critical when used in social interactions.

  • She sniffed at his suggestion, clearly unimpressed
snuffle

Usually describes the act of making sniffing sounds repeatedly due to a cold or stuffy nose. It’s often used playfully or describing animals.

  • The child snuffled miserably through his cold
  • The dog snuffled around the yard, searching for something
snort

Often used when describing a loud inhalation or exhalation through the nose, typically related to laughter, animals, or in some cases, the inhalation of drugs.

  • He snorted with laughter at the joke
  • The horse snorted and pawed the ground
  • He was caught snorting cocaine
snuff

Used when describing the act of extinguishing a candle flame, or in a negative context, slang for killing someone. It can also refer to inhaling a powdered form of tobacco through the nose.

  • She snuffed out the candle before going to bed
  • He was involved in a snuff film, which means an illegal recording of someone being killed
  • He likes to snuff tobacco as a habit

Examples of usage

  • He sniffed loudly and turned away in disgust.
  • She sniffed at the food before cautiously taking a bite.
Context #2 | Noun

action

An act or sound of sniffing.

Synonyms

snort, snuff, snuffle.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sniff

This term is sometimes used for short, audible inhalations when someone is emotional or has a cold.

  • During the sad movie, I could hear her sniff every once in a while.
  • He kept sniffing because of his allergies.
snuffle

This is used to describe someone breathing noisily, often because of a cold or other nasal obstruction. It can sound like a mix between sniff and snort.

  • The dog snuffled around looking for food.
  • He could hear the child snuffling in her sleep.
snort

This generally refers to a forceful sound made through the nose, which can be from laughter, irritation, anger, or inhaling substances illicitly. This word can often carry a negative connotation.

  • He snorted with laughter at the joke.
  • She snorted in disgust at the rude comment.
  • They were caught snorting drugs.
snuff

Typically used to refer to inhaling ground tobacco, or it can mean to extinguish a flame or end something abruptly.

  • He took a snuff from his small box.
  • She snuffed out the candle before leaving the room.
  • The event was snuffed out by unexpected rain.

Examples of usage

  • I heard a sniff from the next room.
  • She let out a small sniff as she tried to hold back tears.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Animals

  • Dogs have about 220 million scent receptors in their noses, allowing them to sniff out things we can't even see.
  • Some animals, like frogs, can sniff with their tongues, which helps them hunt for food.

Human Behavior

  • People might sniff to check if food is fresh or if something smells bad.
  • Sniffing can be a sign of a cold or allergies, which causes our noses to create extra mucus.

Art and Literature

  • In poetry, sniffing often symbolizes a deep connection to memories or emotions tied to a particular smell.
  • Famous novels sometimes describe characters sniffing to convey curiosity or suspicion about their surroundings.

Science

  • The act of sniffing can enhance our ability to detect odors by quickly bringing scents into the nose.
  • Research shows that smelling certain scents can evoke strong memories and emotional responses.

Origin of 'sniff'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'sniff' comes from the Middle English 'sniffen', meaning to breathe noisily through the nose.
  • Related words in Old Norse like 'snifra' suggest a long history of this action in different cultures.

The word 'sniff' originated in Middle English, probably imitative of the sound of air being quickly inhaled through the nose. It has been used in English since the 14th century.

See also: sniffer, sniffle.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,383, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.