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waft Definition

waft (wäft, waft)

transitive verb

    1. to carry or propel (objects, sounds, odors, etc.) lightly through the air or over water
    2. to transport as if in this manner
  1. 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

  1. to float, as on the wind
  2. to blow gently: said of breezes

noun

  1. the act or fact of floating or being carried lightly along
  2. an odor, sound, etc. carried through the air
  3. a breath or gust of wind
  4. a wave, waving, or wafting movement
  5. Naut., Now Rare a signal flag or pennant, or a signal made by a flag or pennant, usually rolled or furled

waft Synonyms

waft

v.

convey, transport, transmit, float, blow; see also carry.

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

  • breeze: Remember that Turkish Delight ad: Arabian prince, lovely lady, sand dunes and silk wafting in a sultry breeze?
  • air: The smell of bread and kebabs wafted in the open air and tho there was great activity the atmosphere was quite relaxed.

Browse dictionary entries near waft

  1. waffle iron
  2. waffle
  3. waff
  4. wafer
  5. Waf
  6. waesucks
  7. wae
  8. wading pool
  9. wading bird
  10. wadi
  1. waftage
  2. wafter
  3. wafture
  4. wag
  5. wage
  6. wage earner
  7. wage-push inflation
  8. wage scale
  9. wager
  10. wageworker