Meaning & Definition of word "Whiff"

Whiff

/wɪf/

1. A light gust of air or a faint smell.
- Example: She caught a whiff of perfume as she walked past the store.
2. A quick or slight indication of something.
- Example: He got a whiff of the excitement in the room before the announcement was made.
3. A brief, passing sensation or impression.
- Example: There was a whiff of nostalgia as he opened the old photo album.

1. To inhale or smell something briefly.
- Example: He whiffed the flowers in the garden, enjoying their fragrance.
2. To make a quick or slight attempt to perform something.
- Example: She whiffed at the ball but missed it completely.

Possibly of 16th-century English origin, from 'whiff' meaning 'to puff or blow' or 'a slight blast of air.'

whiff of fresh air:

A refreshing change or break from a routine.

give a whiff:

To allow someone to smell something briefly.

catch a whiff:

To suddenly smell something.

aroma:

A distinctive, pleasant smell, often associated with food or drink.

fragrance:

A sweet or pleasant smell, often used for perfumes.

odor:

A distinctive smell, often unpleasant.

Meaning: A term used in sports, especially baseball, indicating a missed opportunity.

Example Sentence: He swung at the pitch but got a whiff.

Meaning: To take a quick smell of something, often in a casual or informal manner.

Example Sentence: She gave a whiff of the cookies to see if they were done.