waft

verb \ ˈwäft , ˈwaft \

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Examples: waft in a Sentence

Definition of waft

wafted; wafting; wafts

intransitive verb

: to move or go lightly on or as if on a buoyant medium

heavenly aromas wafted from the kitchen

transitive verb

: to cause to move or go lightly by or as if by the impulse of wind or waves

—

wafter

noun

See waft defined for English-language learners

See waft defined for kids

Examples of waft in a Sentence

The smell of chicken soup wafted up to my bedroom.
The sound of music wafted softly into the yard from our neighbor's house.
A breeze wafted the scent of roses towards our table.

Recent Examples of waft from the Web

Whispers of how terrifying the film was rumored to be wafted around the room.

— lauren sanchez, Vogue, "A Séance Gone Bad: Hereditary’s New York City Premiere Was All Screams and Shouts," 6 June 2018
The aromas of homemade body butters wafted through the air.

— zoë madonna, BostonGlobe.com, "Castle of our Skins celebrates music of black women," 28 May 2018
Gorgeously gritty guitar sounds waft through a north Santa Monica neighborhood on a recent morning.

— randy lewis, latimes.com, "Ry Cooder sings of empathy, compassion in new album 'The Prodigal Son'," 11 May 2018
The only way to revive her is usually to waft a Twin Anchors rib under her nose.

— michael nagrant, RedEye Chicago, "How to live Chicago Party Aunt’s best life," 9 May 2018
The event started at 10 a.m. and wrapped up around 3 p.m. Around the Red Space room, 11 different doughnut vendors handed out samples of their selections and sugary sweet smells wafted through the room.

— anne nickoloff, cleveland.com, "Donut Fest returns to Cleveland for second successful, sugary celebration," 10 Feb. 2018
She and Nielsen waft smoke through the exhaust fan.

— robert hackett, Fortune, "How JPMorgan Chase Learned to Love the Blockchain," 24 May 2018
Where the plume wafts depends heavily on wind direction and speed.

— jae c. hong and audrey mcavoy, chicagotribune.com, "Your guide to 'laze' — the toxic lava haze now threatening Hawaiians," 22 May 2018
Where the plume wafts depends heavily on wind direction and speed.

— NBC News, "What is 'laze'? Toxic gas plume created by Hawaii volcano," 22 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'waft.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of waft

Middle English, perhaps from past participle of Middle English (northern dialect) waffen, by-form of Middle English waven to wave

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

See Words from the same year

waft Synonyms

waft

noun

Definition of waft

1 : something (such as an odor) that is wafted : whiff

2 : a slight breeze : puff

3 : the act of waving

4 : a pennant or flag used to signal or to show wind direction

Examples of waft in a Sentence

wafts carrying the scent of spring flowers

Recent Examples of waft from the Web

Murakami’s jacket is bedazzled with an octopus print and the octopi-fringe on his skirt wafts around his legs as if the tentacles are alive.

— gaile robinson, star-telegram, "The Modern goes big and bright with international art star Murakami retrospective," 8 June 2018
In the late afternoon, baby boomer-friendly music wafts across the course, piped in through speakers disguised as rocks.

— john paul newport, WSJ, "The New Golf Vacation: Quicker, Easier and More Fun," 31 May 2018
From the languid sway of the bay laurel trees to the disco shimmer of the quaking aspens to the Dude-like serenity of the redwoods, a vague drugginess wafts over the place.

— chris colin, Outside Online, "Drawing a Line in the Sand Over River Rights," 30 May 2018
The fumes of acrylic polish waft through an entryway that’s marked with a $100-bill welcome mat.

— kate branch, Vogue, "Cardi B’s Nail Artist Did My Manicure for the Met Gala—And It Totally Upstaged My Dress," 7 May 2018
Torres says as the stench of hot oil wafts over the neighborhood.

— susan carpenter, Los Angeles Magazine, "Is There Any Hope for L.A.’s Terrible Streets and Sidewalks?," 7 May 2018
Evenings are the loneliest times, when the village folds into itself, minders return with their cows from the pond, smoke wafts from evening meals, schoolchildren still in their plaid school uniforms play in the uneven lanes.

— simon denyer, Washington Post, "TOO MANY MEN," 18 Apr. 2018
Inside, an unassuming air wafts throughout the space, where windows and doors are left open much of the year.

— lilah ramzi, Vogue, "Inside Eberjey Co-Founder Ali Mejia’s Bright Miami Bungalow," 16 Apr. 2018
When gazing at artwork through the hallway, a seductive smell wafts through the stylish digs, which Soldi confesses is a special amber wax (aptly named Genius) that even Chanel uses in its stores to further add to the ambiance.

— jennifer rice, Vogue, "This Florentine Hotel Has Secret Garden-Views of Europe’s Largest Private Green Space," 13 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of waft

1607

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

waft Synonyms

Synonyms

air, breath, breeze, puff, zephyr;

Near Antonyms

calm;

Related Words

current, draft, whiff;

sea breeze;

blast, blow, flurry, gale, headwind, northeaster, norther, northwester, southeaster, southwester, tailwind, westerly, wind;

squall, tempest, tornado, windstorm;

airflow;

WAFT Defined for English Language Learners

waft

verb

Definition of waft for English Language Learners

: to move lightly through the air

WAFT Defined for Kids

waft

verb \ ˈwäft , ˈwaft \

Definition of waft for Students

wafted; wafting

: to move or be moved lightly by or as if by the action of waves or wind A scent wafted in.

waft

noun

Definition of waft for Students

: a slight breeze or puff of air

Learn More about waft

See words that rhyme with waft Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for waft Spanish Central: Translation of waft Nglish: Translation of waft for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up waft? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

waft

Definition of waft

wafter

Examples of waft in a Sentence

Recent Examples of waft from the Web

Origin and Etymology of waft

waft Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

waft

Definition of waft

Examples of waft in a Sentence

Recent Examples of waft from the Web

First Known Use of waft

waft Synonyms

Synonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

WAFT Defined for English Language Learners

waft

Definition of waft for English Language Learners

WAFT Defined for Kids

waft

Definition of waft for Students

waft

Definition of waft for Students

Learn More about waft

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Trending: 'Asylum' Trends as Policies Draw Attention

'Than': What Follows It and Why

Name More Food!

9 Words for Transnational Currencies

Ghost Word