Sniffle

/ˈsnɪf.əl/

Meaning & Definition

noun

a repeated inhaling sound made through the nose, typically indicating the presence of a cold or emotional distress.

The child's sniffle was a clear sign that she was coming down with something.

an act of sniffing, often associated with sadness or discomfort.

I heard a soft sniffle coming from the corner of the room.

verb

to make or cause a repeated sound by inhaling through the nose, often due to a cold or emotion.

She started to sniffle when she heard the sad news.

to keep sniffing as a way to clear the nose or express emotion.

He sniffled as he watched the emotional movie.

Early 19th century: perhaps from the verb 'sniff' + the diminutive suffix '-le'.

sniffle like a baby

To cry quietly or softly, often used to describe someone who is overly emotional.

sniff

To breathe in through the nose audibly.

snuffle

To breathe noisily through the nose, especially due to a cold.

Having a case of the sniffles, usually related to allergies or a cold.

I’m feeling sniffly today; must be the pollen in the air.

To cry softly, often in a dramatic or exaggerated way.

After the breakup, she was all sniffly and couldn't stop it.