sniff
intransitive verb
- to draw in air through the nose with enough force to be heard, as in clearing the nose or smelling something
- to express disdain, skepticism, etc. by sniffing
transitive verb
- to breathe in forcibly through the nose; draw in or inhale nasally
- to smell (a substance) by sniffing
- to detect, perceive, or get a suspicion of by or as by sniffing: often with out
noun
- an act or sound of sniffing
- something sniffed
See sniff in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(snĭf)
verb sniffed,
sniff·ing,
sniffs verb, intransitivea. To inhale a short, audible breath through the nose, as in smelling something.
b. To sniffle.
- To use the sense of smell, as in savoring or investigating: sniffed at the jar to see what it held.
- To regard something in a contemptuous or dismissive manner: The critics sniffed at the adaptation of the novel to film.
- Informal To pry; snoop: The reporters came sniffing around for more details.
verb, transitive- To inhale forcibly through the nose: sniffed the cool morning air.
- To smell, as in savoring or investigating: sniffed the lilacs; sniffed the breeze for traces of smoke.
- To perceive or detect by or as if by sniffing: dogs that sniffed out the trail through the snow; sniffed trouble ahead.
- To utter in a contemptuous or haughty manner: The countess sniffed her disapproval.
noun- An instance or the sound of sniffing.
- Something sniffed or perceived by or as if by sniffing; a whiff: a sniff of perfume; a sniff of scandal.
Related Forms:
Learn more about sniff
