What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sniffer
Example
The airport security officer used a sniffer to check for any illegal substances in the luggage. [sniffer: noun]
Example
The police dog is a sniffer trained to detect drugs and explosives. [sniffer: noun]
Example
The IT department installed a sniffer to monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity. [sniffer: noun]
detector
Example
The smoke detector went off when it sensed a fire in the kitchen. [detector: noun]
Example
The metal detector beeped when it found a coin buried in the sand. [detector: noun]
Example
The antivirus software acts as a detector, scanning files for any viruses or malware. [detector: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Detector is more commonly used than sniffer in everyday language. Detector is a versatile term that covers a wide range of applications, while sniffer is less common and often associated with specific fields, such as law enforcement or IT security.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between sniffer and detector?
Both sniffer and detector can be used in formal and informal contexts, but detector is more neutral and versatile, making it more suitable for formal settings.
