Synonyms for

Whiff

Verb / wɪf / / hwɪf / Another word for whiff — explore alternatives below. For syllable breakdowns and pronunciation, see this word on Syllablesworld.

Definition

a slight gust or puff of air; a faint smell or odor

Synonyms & similar words

puff sniff puffofair smell sniff scent aroma odor fragrance breeze draft gust puff trace hint whiffle flick flutter swish swing miss blow strike

Synonyms by register

Formal

scent aroma fragrance

Informal

smell sniff puff

Literary

breath waft scent

Antonyms

stench odor reek fetor malodor

Common collocations

  • a whiff of
  • catch a whiff
  • faint whiff
  • slight whiff
  • smell a whiff
  • detect a whiff

Word family

noun whiff
verb whiff

Usage note

Primarily used for a light, often pleasant, smell. Can also refer to a brief, unsubstantial attempt or idea.

Example sentences

  1. I caught a whiff of the fresh flowers as I walked by the garden.
  2. The pitcher threw a whiff and missed the ball.
  3. I could smell the whiff of smoke from the campfire.
  4. The wind carried a whiff of salty ocean air.
  5. She took a whiff of the perfume before buying it.

Quotes

  • "A whiff of happiness in the air." - Sylvia Plath
  • "The world is full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings." - Robert Louis Stevenson
  • "I get a whiff of the past and feel a little dizzy." - Haruki Murakami

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