# sniff test

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. An informal check of an idea or proposal, using one's common sense or sense of propriety.
2. An inspection of an object using the sense of smell, as for freshness of food or cleanliness of clothing.

## Etymology
The figurative sense is a metaphorical extension from the literal sense.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/sniff-test