sniff

Sniff is defined as to draw in air through the nose, or to detect or figure something out.

(verb)

An example of sniff is to get a whiff of fresh baked pie.
An example of sniff is for a dog to find a criminal by following the criminal's scent.

The definition of a sniff is an act of drawing in through the nose, or something smelled.

(noun)

An example of a sniff is the act of inhaling the smell of barbecue.

See sniff in Webster's New World College Dictionary

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

Origin: ME sniffen, akin to Dan snive, of echoic orig.

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

Related Forms:

See sniff in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb sniffed, sniff·ing, sniffs

verb, intransitive

a. 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