verb
sniffle
SNIHF-uhl
Sniffle (verb) means to sniff repeatedly and quietly, usually because of a cold or crying. Example: “She sniffled through the whole sad movie.”
verb
1
To sniff repeatedly and quietly, usually because of a cold or crying.
"She sniffled through the whole sad movie."
noun
1
The act or sound of sniffling.
"I sometimes have a sniffle during allergy season."
"He let out a small sniffle before wiping his eyes."
How to use sniffle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA soft, repeated sniffing sound, often from a cold or tears.
Common pairings
sniffle quietly
a little sniffle
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Word forms
- Plural
- sniffles
- Third person singular
- sniffles
- Past tense
- sniffled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ through the whole sad movie.
Etymology
From sniff + the frequentative ending -le, suggesting a repeated small action — compare "snivel."
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “sniffle” mean?
The word “sniffle” means to sniff repeatedly and quietly, usually because of a cold or crying. In plain terms, a soft, repeated sniffing sound, often from a cold or tears.
How do you pronounce “sniffle”?
“Sniffle” is pronounced SNIHF-uhl (/ˈsnɪf.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “sniffle” in a sentence?
Here is “sniffle” used in a sentence: “She sniffled through the whole sad movie.”
What part of speech is “sniffle”?
Depending on how it is used, “sniffle” can be a verb and a noun.
How many meanings does “sniffle” have?
“Sniffle” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to sniff repeatedly and quietly, usually because of a cold or crying.
