What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sniffs
Example
The dog sniffs around the house looking for food. [sniffs: verb]
Example
I took a few sniffs of the perfume to see if I liked it. [sniffs: noun]
Example
She gave a sniff of disapproval when she saw the mess in the kitchen. [sniff: noun]
whiff
Example
I caught a whiff of fresh bread coming from the bakery. [whiff: noun]
Example
He whiffed the air for any signs of danger. [whiffed: verb]
Example
There was a whiff of suspicion in her tone when she asked the question. [whiff: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Sniffs is more commonly used than whiff in everyday language. Sniffs is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while whiff is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sniffs and whiff?
Both sniffs and whiff are relatively informal words and can be used in casual conversations. However, sniffs may be slightly more formal due to its wider range of usage and versatility.
