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Snuffling: meaning, definitions and examples

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snuffling

 

[ ˈsnʌflɪŋ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

sound-making

Snuffling refers to making a noise by breathing in through the nose, often with a sniffing sound. It is commonly associated with the act of sniffing out something, as seen in certain animals, or when a person is experiencing nasal congestion.

Synonyms

sniffing, sniffling

Examples of usage

  • The dog was snuffling around the garden, searching for the buried bones.
  • She was snuffling due to her cold, making it difficult for her to speak clearly.
  • He could hear the snuffling of the pig as it rummaged through the mud.
Context #2 | Noun

sound-making

As a noun, snuffling is the action or sound of breathing through the nose with a snuffling noise. This can be a description of a sound related to both animals and humans.

Synonyms

sniff, sniffle, snuffle

Examples of usage

  • The snuffling of the puppies warmed her heart.
  • There was a gentle snuffling sound coming from the other side of the door.
  • The constant snuffling indicated that he was not feeling well.

Etymology

The term 'snuffling' originates from the Middle English word 'snufflen', which means to sniffle or to snort. The roots of the word can be traced back to the Old English 'sneofan', which meant to sniff or smell. Over time, it evolved through various linguistic changes, reflecting the sounds and actions associated with breathing through the nose. The word has been used to describe both animal behavior, particularly in dogs that sniff out scents, and human actions, particularly when someone has a cold or nasal congestion. Snuffling carries connotations of searching and discovering, rooted deeply in its etymological background.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,470 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.