sniff
snihf
Sniff (verb) means to inhale audibly through the nose, often to smell something. Example: “The dog sniffed the ground, following the scent.”
verb
1
To inhale audibly through the nose, often to smell something.
"The dog sniffed the ground, following the scent."
"She sniffed the milk to check if it had gone off."
2
To treat something with scorn or suspicion — used with "at."
"He sniffed at the idea, unimpressed."
noun
1
An act of sniffing, or a small hint of something.
"She caught a sniff of smoke in the hallway."
How to use sniff
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short, noticeable inhale through the nose — or, more loosely, showing disdain toward something.
Common pairings
sniff the air
sniff at
a sniff of scandal
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Word forms
- Plural
- sniffs
- Third person singular
- sniffs
- Past tense
- sniffed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The dog _____ the ground, following the scent.
Etymology
From Middle English sniffen, thought to imitate the sound of the action.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for sniff
See all rhymes for sniff →Frequently asked questions
What does “sniff” mean?
The word “sniff” means to inhale audibly through the nose, often to smell something. In plain terms, a short, noticeable inhale through the nose — or, more loosely, showing disdain toward something.
How do you pronounce “sniff”?
“Sniff” is pronounced snihf (/snɪf/ in IPA).
How do you use “sniff” in a sentence?
Here is “sniff” used in a sentence: “The dog sniffed the ground, following the scent.”
What part of speech is “sniff”?
Depending on how it is used, “sniff” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “sniff” come from?
The word “sniff” comes from Middle English. From Middle English sniffen, thought to imitate the sound of the action.
Is “sniff” a common word?
“Sniff” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “sniff” have?
“Sniff” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to inhale audibly through the nose, often to smell something.
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