Sniffer Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

👃

Add to dictionary

sniffer

[ˈsnɪfər ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

security

A device or program used to detect unauthorized access to a network or computer system.

Synonyms

network analyzer, network monitor, packet sniffer.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sniffer	A general term often used in informal or casual conversations to describe a tool or software that captures and analyzes network traffic. He used a sniffer to identify the source of the network issue. The security team employs sniffers to detect unauthorized access.
packet sniffer	Specifically refers to tools that capture and analyze the individual packets of data transmitted over a network. Used in both troubleshooting and security contexts. The administrator used a packet sniffer to trace the source of the packet loss. Packet sniffers are essential for network forensics and diagnosing communication issues.
network analyzer	Typically used in professional or technical settings to describe more sophisticated tools designed to analyze network performance and diagnose issues. We rely on a network analyzer to optimize our enterprise network. A network analyzer can help in pinpointing network congestion and bottlenecks.
network monitor	Used when referring to tools that continuously monitor the health, performance, and security of a network. It is more about ongoing surveillance rather than deep analysis. The network monitor alerted us to a potential security threat. A network monitor helps in ensuring the network is running smoothly 24/7.

Examples of usage

The company installed a sniffer to monitor network traffic.
The sniffer detected a potential security breach.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

informal

A person who detects or identifies something, especially a person who identifies fraudulent activities.

Synonyms

detective, investigator, spotter.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sniffer	Used informally or derogatorily to describe someone who is trying to find out hidden information, often in a sneaky or intrusive way. He's such a sniffer, always trying to find out other people's secrets. The journalists were acting like sniffers, digging into the politician's past.
detective	Used in formal situations to describe a professional person whose job is to investigate crimes, often for a police department. The detective solved the mystery of the stolen painting. She hired a private detective to find her missing husband.
investigator	A neutral term used to describe someone who is involved in finding out facts, often in a professional or official capacity; not limited to crime. The investigator gathered evidence for the court case. Environmental investigators are looking into the cause of the oil spill.
spotter	Used to describe someone who observes or looks out for specific things, often related to hobbies or monitoring activities. The bird spotter identified several rare species during the hike. Airport spotters enjoy watching and recording the movements of aircraft.

Examples of usage

He is known as the office sniffer for always uncovering office gossip.
The sniffer quickly identified the counterfeit bills.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

slang

A dog trained to detect certain odors, especially in police work or search and rescue missions.

Synonyms

K9 unit, detection dog, scent dog.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sniffer	Repeated word, already described.
detection dog	A more formal term used in professional settings to describe dogs trained to detect items such as explosives, drugs, or even certain diseases. Often used by law enforcement or military professionals. The police department deployed a detection dog to the scene to search for explosives. Detection dogs are vital for airport security.
scent dog	Used to describe dogs trained to follow a particular scent, often used in search and rescue operations. It can also refer to hunting dogs trained to track game. The rescuers relied on a scent dog to find the missing hiker in the dense forest. Scent dogs are often used in hunting to track and locate animals.
K9 unit	Specifically refers to the police or military units that use specially trained dogs for various tasks including detection, tracking, and apprehension. This is a formal term used within law enforcement and military circles. The K9 unit was called in to assist with the search operation. After the suspect escaped, the K9 unit was on their trail within minutes.

Examples of usage

The sniffer dog helped the police find the missing person.
The airport employs sniffer dogs to detect drugs and explosives.

Translations

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

Origin of 'sniffer'

The word 'sniffer' originated from the verb 'sniff', which dates back to the late 14th century. The sense of 'sniffer' as a device for detecting unauthorized access to a network or computer system emerged in the 1980s with the rise of computer technology. The informal usage of 'sniffer' to refer to a person who identifies something, especially fraud, has been around since the early 20th century. The slang meaning of 'sniffer' as a dog trained to detect odors in police work or search and rescue missions became popular in the 1960s.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,919, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

...
35916 kebab
35917 aped
35918 jugglery
35919 sniffer
35920 noncorrosive
35921 persuader
35922 chancellery
...