What does snuffle mean?
To snuffle is to breathe through the nose in a short, noisy, or repeated way. The word is especially vivid when describing an animal moving its nose close to the ground while following a scent, as in a dog snuffling through undergrowth. It can also mean to search for something by smell or examine a place in this way. As a noun, a snuffle is the sound or act of such nasal breathing and may describe a person making a small, undignified or embarrassed noise. Snuffle is more evocative than sniff because it suggests a deeper, noisier, and often more purposeful nasal action. Together, the verb and noun cover both the physical process and the characteristic sound of breathing through the nose, giving the word a memorable place in descriptions of animals, searching, and comic or awkward human moments.
To breathe noisily through the nose, especially while following a scent or searching with the nose.
"The hound snuffled the ground near the fence."
Most commonly used of animals, especially dogs, but also used of people searching closely by smell.
A short, noisy breath made through the nose.
"He let out a loud snuffle of amusement."
Can describe an animal's nasal breathing or a person's brief, sometimes comic or embarrassed, nasal sound.
The plural is used for several separate nasal sounds or breaths and for the repeated sound of nasal breathing.
"The child could not stop the snuffles that followed the cold."
From a dog's nose searching the ground to a person quietly blowing their nose, snuffle captures the small, expressive sounds of the nose at work.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does snuffle come from?
The word comes from Middle English, where forms related to snufflen were used for nasal breathing and for moving the nose about as if searching by smell. Its precise sound development reflects a Germanic family of words associated with sniffing and nasal breathing. Modern forms such as sniff and snuff are related in origin, while snuffler developed from the older verb. The imitative character of the word also fits its use for a nasal sound.
Related word forms
How snuffle is actually used
The verb is especially natural for dogs and other animals and can describe a person searching closely by smell. As a noun, it can sound humorous or slightly formal depending on context.
Easily confused with snuffle
A sniff is usually a brief breath through the nose, whereas a snuffle is a more prolonged or noisy nasal breathing sound, often made while searching for a scent.