Definition of sniff
intransitive verb
1a : to inhale through the nose especially for smelling sniffed at the flowersb : to take air into the nose in short audible breaths She sniffed and wiped her nose.
2 : to show or express disdain or scorn
transitive verb
1a : to get the odor or scent of (something) with the nose : smell sniffed the freshly baked cookies dogs sniffing the groundb : to inhale (something) through the nose : snort sniffing cocaine
2 : to utter contemptuously
3 : to recognize or detect (something) by or as if by smelling —usually used with out sniff out trouble
From the M-W Editors
Examples of sniff in a Sentence
She sniffed and wiped her nose with a tissue.
She put perfume on her wrist and sniffed it.
The dog sniffed the carpet.
He held the flower up to his nose and sniffed.
“I guess you don't need my help,” she sniffed.
Recent Examples of sniff from the Web
-
Mark Potash, whose son Mark Sturgis, 22, was killed, said Mr. Weintraub came to the family members, who for days had stood vigil while investigators, aided by cadaver-sniffing dogs, excavated a burial pit at a farm in Solebury Township.
-
Machine-learning algorithms can tell the difference by sniffing out correlations among the multiple variables that describe the showers.
-
Heavily armed counterterrorism units will mingle among spectators, officers will have portable radiation detection devices and bomb-sniffing dogs, and officers will be stationed on rooftops to look out for any sign of trouble.
-
Heavily armed counterterrorism units will mingle among spectators, officers will have portable radiation detection devices and bomb-sniffing dogs, and officers will be stationed on rooftops to look out for any sign of trouble.
-
The officials said that not all measures will be visible to the public, though people may notice more bomb sniffing dogs, more thorough screening of their carry-on bags and swabbing of devices for traces of explosions.
-
Never sniffed the majors, undone by major arm issues.
-
After Veronica leaves, Jenna sniffs the air around Alex.
-
Swabbing Devices The new measures would include a range of actions such as swabbing more devices for traces of explosives, bomb-sniffing dogs, and improved security screening for airport and airline employees, the person said.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sniff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of sniff
Middle English
sniff
Definition of sniff
Examples of sniff in a Sentence
She said that she felt fine, but her sniffs and coughs told a different story.
“I refuse to answer that question,” she said with a sniff.
He wanted to avoid the slightest sniff of a scandal.
There was still a sniff of hope left for the team.
Recent Examples of sniff from the Web
-
His profile has never included a sniff of malicious play.
-
Doty, a professor of otorhinolaryngology, invented the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT), a 40-odor scratch-and-sniff test that has become the gold standard for diagnosing olfactory dysfunction.
-
Once again, Channing Frye never got a sniff of action.
-
Those numbers are superior to just about every backup QB in the NFL, but Kaepernick isn’t getting a sniff.
-
The old-fashioned roses were quenched and empowered to show their deep shades and deliver a spicy treat to anyone who stops for a sniff.
-
So his teammates can yell at him on the court publicly and there won’t be a sniff of anger after the game.
-
The first season of football came and went without a sniff of playing time.
-
One lion became particularly enamored with the little one, following his every move with interest, hoping to get a sniff of the mysterious imposter cub.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sniff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of sniff
1767
SNIFF Defined for English Language Learners
sniff
playDefinition of sniff for English Language Learners
-
: to take air into your nose in short breaths that are loud enough to be heard
-
: to smell (something or someone) by putting your nose close to it and taking air in through your nose in short breaths
-
: to take (something, such as fumes or a drug) into your body by inhaling it through your nose in order to get intoxicated
sniff
Definition of sniff for English Language Learners
-
: an act or the sound of drawing air into the nose especially in order to smell something or because you are sick or have been crying
-
: an expression of dislike or disapproval
-
: a small amount or sign of something
SNIFF Defined for Kids
Definition of sniff for Students
sniffed
;sniffing
1 : to smell by taking short breaths sniff perfume
2 : to draw air into the nose in short breaths loud enough to be heard
3 : to say with scorn
Definition of sniff for Students
1 : the act or sound of drawing air into the nose in short breaths (as to smell something) He took a sniff of the pie.
2 : an odor detected through the nose a sniff of sea air
Learn More about sniff
-
See words that rhyme with sniff Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sniff Spanish Central: Translation of sniff Nglish: Translation of sniff for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of sniff for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up sniff? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!