# sniffing

/ˈsnɪfɪŋ/ (US) · /snˈɪfɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/sniffing
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

to breathe in through your nose in a way that makes a sound. You do this to smell something or when you have a cold.

For teachers: drawing air audibly through the nose in short breaths. Often used to detect a scent or to prevent mucus from running during a cold.

## Examples

- The dog is sniffing the grass in the park.
- She kept sniffing throughout the movie because she had forgotten to bring a tissue for her cold.
- The detective stood over the evidence, sniffing the air for any trace of the chemical accelerant mentioned in the forensic report.

## Usage notes

- The present participle of 'sniff'; can function as a gerund or as part of a continuous verb tense.

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