What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
puff
Example
He took a puff from his cigarette and blew the smoke into the air. [puff: noun]
Example
She puffed out her cheeks and blew a raspberry at him. [puffed: verb]
whiff
Example
I caught a whiff of freshly baked bread as I walked past the bakery. [whiff: noun]
Example
The wind whiffed through the trees, rustling the leaves. [whiffed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Whiff is less common than puff in everyday language, but both words are relatively informal and may not be used frequently in formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between puff and whiff?
Neither puff nor whiff are particularly formal words, but whiff may be slightly more formal due to its association with the sense of smell and its use in certain technical contexts such as chemistry or physics.
