WordGarden.iowhiff
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /wˈɪf/
US
- /ˈhwɪf/
Meanings
Noun
a faint smell or brief trace of an odor
a slight trace or suggestion of something
a swing and miss or a strikeout in baseball
Verb
to smell or sniff something briefly
to swing and miss, or to strike out in baseball
Beyond the definition
A whiff isn't just any smell—it's a fleeting one! Imagine walking past a bakery and catching a delicious whiff of warm bread. It's a short, noticeable scent that quickly fades. You can also get a whiff of something figurative, like a whiff of trouble when you see storm clouds gathering.
Originally, "whiff" described a quick puff of air or a light blow. This is why, in sports, to "whiff" means to swing and miss the ball completely, hitting nothing but air. Over time, the word became most associated with smells because scents travel through the air. So next time you catch a faint aroma, remember that's a whiff!
A whiff is a brief and often faint smell that comes and goes quickly. It's not a lingering odor, but rather a fleeting hint of fragrance carried on the air. Common examples include catching a whiff of lavender from the garden, the faint whiff of smoke from a distant fire, or a whiff of someone's cologne as they walk by.
While most commonly used to describe scents, whiff can also be used figuratively to suggest a brief encounter with or an indication of something else. You might say, "He got a whiff of scandal surrounding the politician," meaning he heard rumors or sensed something was amiss. In this context, it serves as a synonym for a "hint" or an "inkling."
The origin of the word is quite evocative! It originally referred to a quick puff of air, like a short, sharp breath. This connection to air movement naturally led to its association with smells, as scents are carried by the wind. It also explains the common sports terminology: in baseball or golf, to "whiff" means to swing and miss the ball completely, hitting only the air.
Whether it's the aroma of coffee brewing, a hint of danger in the wind, or a fleeting memory triggered by a scent, whiff describes something brief, noticeable, and often evocative—a quick impression delivered on the breeze.
Examples
- 1
Smoke smell
A whiff of smoke drifted in from outside.
- 2
Perfume
I caught a whiff of her perfume as she walked past.
- 3
Tone
There was a whiff of sarcasm in his reply.
- 4
Slight impression
The whole plan has a whiff of desperation about it.
- Patternhave a whiff of + quality about it
seem slightly like that
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
News leak
Once reporters got a whiff of the story, the company couldn't keep it quiet.
- Patternget a whiff of + information
start to hear about or notice it
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- whiffnounverb
Forms
- whiffspluralnounverb