# sniff

> English word · Verb · IPA /snɪf/ · frequency rank #16,349

## Definitions
1. To make a short, audible inhalation, through the nose, as when smelling something.
2. To say (something) while sniffing, such as in case of illness or unhappiness, or in contempt.
3. To perceive vaguely.
4. To pry; to investigate in an interfering manner.
5. To be dismissive or contemptuous of something; used with at.
6. To intercept and analyse packets of data being transmitted over a network.
7. To inhale drugs (usually cocaine) through the nose, usually in powder form.

## Etymology
From Middle English sniffen, of imitative origin.

## Easily confused with
- **snip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sniff-vs-snip)
- **stuff** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sniff-vs-stuff)
- **staff** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sniff-vs-staff)
- **swift** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sniff-vs-swift)
- **stiff** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sniff-vs-stiff)
- **snuff** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sniff-vs-snuff)
- **snipe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sniff-vs-snipe)
- **sniffer** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sniff-vs-sniffer)
- **Sif** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sif-vs-sniff)
- **sift** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/sift-vs-sniff)
- **saif** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/saif-vs-sniff)
- **shift** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/shift-vs-sniff)
- **scifi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scifi-vs-sniff)
- **scoff** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/scoff-vs-sniff)
- **skiff** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/skiff-vs-sniff)
- **snide** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/snide-vs-sniff)
- **Schiff** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/schiff-vs-sniff)

## Common misspellings (6)
`nsiff`, `sinff`, `snfif`, `snif`, `snniff`, `ssniff`

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