whiff Definition
- 1a slight gust or puff of wind
- 2a brief odor carried in the air
- 3a trace or hint of something
Using whiff: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "whiff" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
A whiff of fresh air came through the window.
Example
I caught a whiff of perfume as she walked by.
Example
There was a whiff of scandal surrounding the politician.
Example
The chef took a whiff of the soup to check the seasoning.
whiff Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with whiff
Example
The company's recent financial losses were just a whiff of grapeshot compared to what's coming.
Example
The dog was able to whiff out the drugs hidden in the car.
Example
Hearing that song always gives me a whiff of nostalgia for my college days.
Origins of whiff
from Middle Dutch 'wiven', meaning 'to move quickly'
Summary: whiff in Brief
The term 'whiff' [hwif, wif] refers to a slight gust or puff of wind, a brief odor carried in the air, or a trace or hint of something. It can be used in phrases like 'whiff of scandal' and 'whiff of nostalgia.' 'Whiff out' means to detect something by smell. 'Whiff of grapeshot' refers to a minor setback or defeat that serves as a warning of a larger one to come.