1 sniff
/ˈsnɪf/
verb
sniffs;
sniffed;
sniffing
1 sniff
/ˈsnɪf/
verb
sniffs;
sniffed;
sniffing
Britannica Dictionary definition of SNIFF
1
a
[no object]
:
to take air into your nose in short breaths that are loud enough to be heard
-
She sniffed and wiped her nose with a tissue.
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b
:
to smell (something or someone) by putting your nose close to it and taking air in through your nose in short breaths
[+ object]
-
She put perfume on her wrist and sniffed it.
-
The dog sniffed the carpet.
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[no object]
-
He held the flower up to his nose and sniffed.
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— often + at
-
The cat sniffed at the food and walked away.
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c
[+ object]
:
to take (something, such as fumes or a drug) into your body by inhaling it through your nose in order to get intoxicated
-
sniffing glue/ether
-
sniffing [=(more commonly) snorting] cocaine
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2
a
[+ object]
:
to discover or find (something) by smelling
— usually + out
-
dogs that are trained to sniff out drugs
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— often used figuratively
-
Several companies, sniffing [=sensing] profit potential, are investing in the area.
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My mother is an expert at sniffing out trouble.
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the ability to sniff out bargains
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By asking around, we were able to sniff out the truth.
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b
[no object]
:
to search for something by smelling
-
A dog sniffed (around) for drugs in the car.
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— often used figuratively
-
The detective sniffed for clues.
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She has been sniffing (around/about) for a new job.
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3
[+ object]
:
to say (something) in a way that shows dislike, disapproval, etc.
-
“I guess you don't need my help,” she sniffed.
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sniff around/round
[phrasal verb]
sniff around/round (someone)
British, informal
:
to try to get (someone) as a romantic partner, employee, etc.
-
His engagement hasn't stopped him from sniffing around other girls.
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Rival companies have been sniffing around her for years.
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sniff at
[phrasal verb]
sniff at (something)
:
to show dislike or disapproval of (something) especially because you think it is not important or worthy of respect
-
Some people sniff at the idea of using fake flowers.
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It's not a big profit, but it's not to be sniffed at. = It's not a big profit, but it's nothing to sniff at.
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2 sniff
/ˈsnɪf/
noun
plural
sniffs
2 sniff
/ˈsnɪf/
noun
plural
sniffs
Britannica Dictionary definition of SNIFF
1
[count]
:
an act or the sound of drawing air into the nose especially in order to smell something or because you are sick or have been crying
-
He took a big sniff [=whiff] of the soup.
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She said that she felt fine, but her sniffs and coughs told a different story.
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2
[singular]
:
an expression of dislike or disapproval
-
“I refuse to answer that question,” she said with a sniff.
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3
[singular]
:
a small amount or sign of something
-
He wanted to avoid the slightest sniff of a scandal.
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They ran away at the first sniff [=hint] of trouble.
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There was still a sniff of hope left for the team.
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4
[singular]
:
an opportunity to come close to achieving or experiencing something
— usually + of
-
The team did not even get a sniff of the play-offs last year. [=did not even come close to reaching the play-offs]
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