Whiff: meaning, definitions and examples

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whiff

 

[ wษชf ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

faint smell

A whiff is a brief or faint smell or an inhalation of a scent. It often refers to a momentary perception of an aroma, especially when it is unexpected or subtle.

Synonyms

fragrance, odor, scent, whiffle

Examples of usage

  • I caught a whiff of fresh bread as I walked past the bakery.
  • She had a whiff of perfume that lingered in the air.
  • He got a whiff of smoke and realized there might be a fire.
Context #2 | Verb

take a breath

To whiff means to perceive a faint smell or to inhale gently, usually with the intention of recognizing a scent. It can also imply taking in an aroma deeply for greater enjoyment.

Synonyms

breathe in, inhale, sniff

Examples of usage

  • He whiffed the flowers to enjoy their scent.
  • She whiffed the air, trying to identify the source of the smell.
  • The dog whiffed around the area, searching for clues.

Translations

Translations of the word "whiff" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น soprado

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเฅเค—เค‚เคง

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Hauch

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ hembusan

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพั€ะธะฒ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ powiew

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใตใ‚ใฃใจใ—ใŸ้ฆ™ใ‚Š

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท souffle

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ susurro

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท hafif esinti

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐ”๋žŒ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู†ุณูŠู…

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ vรกnek

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ vรกnok

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅพฎ้ฃŽ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ veter

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ vรถttur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถะตะปะบะตะฝ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฅแƒแƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ yรผngรผl ษ™sinti

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ susurro

Word origin

The term 'whiff' has origins dating back to the late 16th century, believed to be derived from the dialectal English word 'whiffle', which means to blow gently or to puff. It is often associated with the act of smelling or inhaling a scent lightly, and its usage has evolved to have both noun and verb forms in contemporary English. The word captures the essence of a fleeting or delicate aroma that can evoke memories or feelings, often tied to the senses and their experiences. Over time, 'whiff' has been popularized in various contexts, including culinary, perfumery, and everyday conversations, highlighting the importance of olfactory perceptions in human experience.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,149, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.