sniff

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To breathe in through your nose in a short, audible way, often to smell something.

   The dog sniffed at the stranger's shoes.

2. 2
   verb

   To smell something by breathing in through your nose.

   She sniffed the milk to check if it was still fresh.

3. 3
   verb

   To breathe in through your nose because you are crying or have a cold.

   He sniffed and wiped away a tear.

From Middle English sniffen, of imitative origin.

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