What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
whiff
Example
I caught a whiff of freshly baked bread as I walked past the bakery. [whiff: noun]
Example
The wind carried a whiff of saltwater from the ocean. [whiff: noun]
Example
He took a quick whiff of the cigarette before putting it out. [whiff: noun]
puff
Example
She blew a puff of air to cool her soup. [puff: noun]
Example
The train released a puff of steam as it pulled into the station. [puff: noun]
Example
He took a long puff on his cigar before putting it out. [puff: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Puff is more commonly used than whiff in everyday language. Puff is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while whiff is less common and more specific to describing smells or odors.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between whiff and puff?
Both whiff and puff are relatively informal words, but whiff may be considered slightly more formal due to its association with describing smells or odors.
