sniffles; sniffled; sniffling
1
: to repeatedly take air into your nose in short breaths that are loud enough to be heard because you are sick or have been crying
The children have been sniffling for a week now.
2
: to say (something) while crying or sniffling
"In your family's eyes," she sniffled, "I'm not good enough."
plural sniffles
1
: an act or the sound of sniffling
He couldn't stop his sniffles.
2
informal
: a slight or mild cold that causes you to sniffle a lot
I have (a case of) the sniffles.
Cite this Entry
“Sniffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/sniffle. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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