noun Uncommon

snuff

snuhf

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Snuff (noun) means Finely ground tobacco meant to be inhaled through the nose or held against the gum. Example: “His grandfather still took a pinch of snuff after dinner.”

noun

Finely ground tobacco meant to be inhaled through the nose or held against the gum.

"His grandfather still took a pinch of snuff after dinner."

verb

To put out a candle flame by pinching or covering it.

"She snuffed the candle before going to bed."

To put an end to something completely; to extinguish.

"The scandal snuffed out his political career."

How to use snuff

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPowdered tobacco for sniffing, or putting out a flame (literally or figuratively ending something).

Common mistake

A "snuff film" is unrelated slang referring to a supposed real-murder recording — don't confuse the tobacco sense with that usage.

Common pairings

take snuff snuff out a candle snuff out hope

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: snuffs
Third person singular: snuffs
Past tense: snuffed

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His grandfather still took a pinch of _____ after dinner.

Etymology

Late Middle English, from Middle Dutch snuffen (“to snuff, sniff, snuffle”). Related to Dutch snuiven (“to sniff”), Middle Low German snûve (“pose, head-cold”), German Schnupfen (“head-cold”). The noun is probably from Dutch snuf (“snuff”), an abbreviation of snuftabak, snuiftabak (“snuff”). Related to sniff (compare Dutch snuffen (“snuff”), German schnupf (“snuff”), French schnouff (“junk”)).

Origin: Middle Dutch

Synonyms

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sniff snuffle

Related words

cocaine sniff snuffle blubber sniffle snivel blub

Rhymes for snuff

buff duff muff ruff tuff cuff puff huff guff stuff bluff gruff

See all rhymes for snuff →

Frequently asked questions

What does “snuff” mean?

The word “snuff” means finely ground tobacco meant to be inhaled through the nose or held against the gum. In plain terms, powdered tobacco for sniffing, or putting out a flame (literally or figuratively ending something).

How do you pronounce “snuff”?

“Snuff” is pronounced snuhf (/snʌf/ in IPA).

How do you use “snuff” in a sentence?

Here is “snuff” used in a sentence: “His grandfather still took a pinch of snuff after dinner.”

What part of speech is “snuff”?

Depending on how it is used, “snuff” can be a noun and a verb.

Is “snuff” a common word?

“Snuff” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “snuff” have?

“Snuff” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: finely ground tobacco meant to be inhaled through the nose or held against the gum.

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