SNIFF

[verb] - to take air in through your nose noisily and in one action, usually to stop the liquid inside the nose from flowing out, or to smell something by taking air in through your noseBlow your nose properly but don't keep sniffing, Emily! [I]You were sniffing a lot - I presumed you had a cold. [I]She sniffed miserably, and wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. [I]He sniffed (= smelt) his socks to see if they needed washing. [T]Dogs love sniffing (= smelling) each other. [T]He was expelled from school for sniffing glue (= taking in the gas from glue because of the pleasurable feelings that that gives). [T]She sniffed (at) her glass of wine before tasting it. [T; I + at](figurative) A few computer firms are sniffing at (= showing an interest in) the project already. [I]Dogs are sometimes used at airports to sniff out (= find by smelling) drugs in people's luggage. [M](figurative) Her job is to go round the big fashion shows sniffing out (= discovering) talent for a modelling agency. [M](figurative) "They didn't even serve wine at dinner!" she sniffed (= said unpleasantly and in a way expressing a low opinion). [+ speech]If you sniff at something, you show a low opinion of it.She sniffed at my new job, saying she couldn't imagine why I would want to do it.A two million pound profit is not to be sniffed at (= is worth having).