/ snɪf; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ v ] to breathe air in through your nose in a way that makes a sound, especially when you are crying, have a cold, etc. :
We all had colds and couldn't stop sniffing and sneezing.
2.
sniff (at) (sth) to breathe air in through the nose in order to discover or enjoy the smell of sth
SYN smell :
[ vn ]
sniffing the fresh morning air
to sniff glue
[ v ]
The dog sniffed at my shoes.
—see also glue-sniffing
3.
to say sth in a complaining or disapproving way :
[ v speech ]
'It's hardly what I'd call elegant,' she sniffed.
[also v , vn ]
•
IDIOMS
- not to be sniffed at
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- sniff around / round
- sniff around / round sb
- sniff at sth
- sniff sb/sth out
■ noun
1.
[ C ] an act or the sound of sniffing :
She took a deep sniff of the perfume.
My mother gave a sniff of disapproval.
His sobs soon turned to sniffs.
2.
[ sing. ] sniff of sth an idea of what sth is like or that sth is going to happen :
The sniff of power went to his head.
They make threats but back down at the first sniff of trouble.
3.
[ sing. ] sniff of sth a small chance of sth :
She didn't get even a sniff at a medal.
•
IDIOMS
- have a (good) sniff around
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : imitative.