whiff

[hwif, wif]

whiff Definition

• 1. a slight gust or puff of wind
• 2. a brief odor carried in the air
• 3. a 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

Synonyms for whiff

• puff
• gust
• hint
• trace
• blast

Antonyms for whiff

• stink
• stench

Phrases with whiff

• whiff of grapeshot

  a minor setback or defeat that serves as a warning of a larger one to come

  Example

  The company's recent financial losses were just a whiff of grapeshot compared to what's coming.

• whiff out

  to detect or discover something by smell

  Example

  The dog was able to whiff out the drugs hidden in the car.

• whiff of nostalgia

  a feeling of longing or wistfulness for a past time or experience

  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'

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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.