Whiffs Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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whiffs
[wɪfs ]
Definitions
smell
A slight trace of a smell, especially an unpleasant one.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| whiffs |
Usually used for brief and often fleeting smells. It can sometimes imply a less pleasant or more fleeting nature of the smell.
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| scent |
A more neutral term that can describe both pleasant and unpleasant smells. It is also commonly used in relation to animals or nature.
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| fragrance |
Used for pleasant and often luxurious scents, frequently related to perfumes, flowers, or scented products.
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| aroma |
Typically used for pleasant smells, often associated with food, beverages, or spices.
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Examples of usage
- The whiff of rotten eggs filled the room.
- She caught a whiff of cigarette smoke outside.
smell
To smell something briefly or faintly.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| whiffs |
Best used when referring to a brief or faint smell, often when noticing something in passing.
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| sniff |
Commonly used to describe an act of using the nose to investigate or search for a smell, often implying a deliberate action.
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| detect |
Used when identifying or discovering the presence of something, especially with effort or precision.
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| sense |
Appropriate when talking about recognizing or perceiving something through intuition or with any of the senses.
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Examples of usage
- She whiffed the aroma of freshly baked bread.
- He whiffs the scent of flowers in the garden.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Science
- Smells are actually tiny particles that travel through the air, and a whiff can indicate how concentrated those particles are.
- The human nose can detect more than 1 trillion different scents, allowing us to pick up distinct whiffs from various sources.
- Research shows that certain scents can influence emotions and memories, making a mere whiff have a strong emotional impact.
Pop Culture
- In movies and stories, characters often have a whiff of something delicious that leads them on an adventure, like a pie cooling on a windowsill.
- The term 'whiff' appears in various songs and literature, often conveying fleeting or nostalgic moments related to scent.
- Some perfumes are marketed with promises of ‘whiffs’ that evoke romance or memories, appealing to both scent and emotion.
Literature
- Writers often use 'whiffs' in their descriptions to create vivid imagery and engage readers' senses, allowing them to 'smell' what the character does.
- In poetry, whiffs can evoke powerful associations, linking them to emotions or memories, enriching the reader's experience.
- Classic novels often use scents to symbolize themes, with whiffs representing the passage of time or changes in mood.
Psychology
- Whiffs of certain fragrances have been shown to trigger memories and emotions, a phenomenon known as 'olfactory memory.'
- The excitement of a whiff of freshly baked cookies can lead to feelings of comfort and happiness, connecting scents to positive experiences.
- Studies indicate that people's preferences for specific scents can influence their moods and decisions, showing a direct link between smell and emotional well-being.
Origin of 'whiffs'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'whiff' comes from the late 16th century, likely related to the word 'whip,' suggesting a quick, light movement.
- In the 19th century, the term began to be used more commonly to describe light smells or hints of scent.
- A variant spelling, 'whiffle,' was also used in literature to describe a light breeze or movement.
The word 'whiff' originated in the late 17th century, from the Middle English 'wif' meaning 'sniff'. It is related to the Old Norse 'hvifa' meaning 'move quickly'. Over time, 'whiff' came to refer to a slight trace of a smell or a quick smell, both as a noun and a verb.