sniff Definition
- 1to breathe air in through your nose in order to discover or enjoy the smell of something
- 2to make a short sound through your nose, especially because you are crying or because you have a cold
Using sniff: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "sniff" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She sniffed the flowers to enjoy their fragrance.
Example
He sniffed and wiped his nose with a tissue.
Example
The dog sniffed around the room looking for food.
Example
She sniffed back tears as she listened to the sad story.
sniff Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with sniff
Example
The dog was able to sniff out the drugs hidden in the suitcase.
Example
He sniffed at the idea of working for such a low salary.
Example
She was sniffing around the office, trying to find out who had been promoted.
Summary: sniff in Brief
The verb 'sniff' [snɪf] has two main meanings. The first is to inhale air through the nose to detect or enjoy a scent, as in 'She sniffed the flowers to enjoy their fragrance.' The second is to make a short sound through the nose, often due to crying or having a cold, as in 'He sniffed and wiped his nose with a tissue.' 'Sniff' can also be used in phrases like 'sniff out,' meaning to find something by smelling it, and 'sniff at,' meaning to show disapproval or contempt for something.