waft
waft
Definition
waft (wäft, waft)
transitive verb
- to carry or propel (objects, sounds, odors, etc.) lightly through the air or over water
- to transport as if in this manner
Etymology: altered < waff
Obsolete to beckon or signal to, as by a wave of the hand
Etymology: back-form. < obs. wafter, convoy < LME waughter < Du wachter, lit., a watcher < wachten, to watch: for IE base see wake
intransitive verb
- to float, as on the wind
- to blow gently: said of breezes
noun
- the act or fact of floating or being carried lightly along
- an odor, sound, etc. carried through the air
- a breath or gust of wind
- a wave, waving, or wafting movement
- Naut., Now Rare a signal flag or pennant, or a signal made by a flag or pennant, usually rolled or furled
waft
Synonyms
waft
Usage Examples
Object
- aroma: As you move through our bonded warehouse the wafting aroma of maturing whiskey will lead you to the next area.
- scent: Lots more Eating Opportunities this time, wafting appetizing scents among the sawdust.
- smell: Over 10,000 enthusiasts came to see the 1.6m wonder, which many described as having ' a wafting smell of maggots ' .
- air: A young girl was sitting by the bed and wafting cool air over Jacob's burns with an embroidered fan.
- smoke: The chef stood outside in his whites, warming himself in the sun, and the aroma of wood smoke wafted from the kitchen.
Preposition: on
- breeze: The loss of stars is made up for by the scent of orange blossom wafting upwards on a light breeze.
- air: Pupils enjoyed the delicacies on sale, the aroma of which wafted on the chilly, wintry air.
Preposition: through
- air: The enticing aromas of the evening meal I had missed still wafted through the air.
Modifying Another Word
- gently: At the moment she is curled up on the floor of the bedroom, being gently wafted by the breeze of our fan!
- about: Room 101 currently has an air of all too chummy bonhomie wafting about.
- back: Then, doffing his hat, he wafted back into the sky to continue on his way.
Followed by an intransitive particle
- along: Hope to be ' wafting along ' soon enough.
- around: The bag will contain any unwanted smells wafting around in your car or shed.
- down: Large " icebergs " of floating foam were wafting down from Cromwell weir.
- up: A long winding ride down a road barely there; Toward the smell of fresh bread wafting up through the air.
- out: Heavy bass tones waft out onto the street from one of Shanghai's many department stores.
Followed by a transitive particle
- down: I was blown like a feather, I was wafted down tunnels.
- up: Then a shriek retaliating, wafting up six flights like a cold breath.
Preposition: in
Browse dictionary entries near waft
- waffle iron
- waffle
- waff
- wafer
- Waf
- waesucks
- wae
- wading pool
- wading bird
- wadi
- waftage
- wafter
- wafture
- wag
- wage
- wage earner
- wage-push inflation
- wage scale
- wager
- wageworker
