to show disdain, contempt, etc., by or as by sniffing.
verb (used with object)
5.
to perceive by or as by smelling:
to sniff a scandal.
6.
to inhale through the nose:
to sniff the air.
noun
7.
an act of sniffing; a single, short, audible inhalation.
8.
the sound made by such an act.
9.
a scent or odor perceived:
a sniff of perfume.
Origin
1300-50;Middle English; back formation from snivel
Related forms
sniffingly, adverb
Examples from the web for sniff
The result, slimy with unfeasible plotting, will gratify those who sniff out all politics as a conspiratorial murk.
Sissy-Louise can sniff out a bed being made with fresh sheets from the dryer from the other end of the house, out on the patio.
They've had high-school kids around their schoolyard trying to get them to sniff glue.
Rather than be rushed, the dog had stopped to sniff a meter.
We've had hIgh- school kids around our schoolyard try- ing to get them to sniff glue.
It's a guessing game-each attorney, as he questions a prospective juror, tries to sniff out his inclinations.
He presented each fireman with twenty test tubes to sniff.
It is not until halfway through the story that the rest of the kids dare to emerge and sniff the air.
Squeezing luggage is a search, but having a dog sniff luggage is not.
On side streets, various sensor-type vehicles sniff the air for chemicals and radiation.
British Dictionary definitions for sniff
sniff
/snɪf/
verb
1.
to inhale through the nose, usually in short rapid audible inspirations, as for the purpose of identifying a scent, for clearing a congested nasal passage, or for taking a drug or intoxicating fumes
2.
when intr, often foll by at. to perceive or attempt to perceive (a smell) by inhaling through the nose
noun
3.
the act or sound of sniffing
4.
a smell perceived by sniffing, esp a faint scent
Derived Forms
sniffing, noun, adjective
Word Origin
C14: probably related to snivelen to snivel
Word Origin and History for sniff
v.
mid-14c., of imitative origin; possibly related to snyvelen (see snivel). As an expression of scorn or contempt from 1729. As a synonym for smell (v.) it dates from 1845. In reference to cocaine from 1925. Related: Sniffed; sniffing.
n.
1767, from sniff (v.); the scornful sense is from 1859.
Slang definitions & phrases for sniff
sniff
verb
To inhale a narcotic powder; snort(1920s+ Narcotics)
sniff in Technology
A C++/C programming environment providing browsing, cross-referencing, design visualisation, documentation and editing support. Developed by UBS Switzerland and marketed by takeFive Salzburg. [Jargon File]