English Explanatory Dictionary

sniff

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To make a short, audible inhalation, through the nose, as when smelling something.
  2. To say (something) while sniffing, such as in case of illness or unhappiness, or in contempt.
  3. To perceive vaguely.
  4. To pry; to investigate in an interfering manner.
  5. To be dismissive or contemptuous of something; used with at.
  6. To intercept and analyse packets of data being transmitted over a network.
  7. To inhale drugs (usually cocaine) through the nose, usually in powder form.
noun
  1. An instance of sniffing.
  2. A quantity of something that is inhaled through the nose.
  3. A brief perception, or tiny amount.
  4. Cocaine.
  5. A toddler or young child.
intj
  1. A short inhalation sound, sometimes associated with crying.

Pronunciation

snĭf /snɪf/ En-au-sniff.ogg /snəf/

Word forms

sniff sniffs sniffing sniffed

Etymology

From Middle English sniffen, of imitative origin.

Synonyms

snort

Derived words

antisniffing nothing to sniff at re-sniff sniff around sniffingly sniffing position sniffing-the-morning-air position sniffish sniffle sniff out sniff up snoof sudden sniffing death syndrome unsniffed bell sniff on the sniff resniff scratch and sniff sniffable sniffer sniff test sniffy
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