What does snuffling mean?
Snuffling means breathing noisily through the nose, usually in short, repeated movements of the nostrils. The word often suggests a physical sound, such as that made by someone with a blocked nose, and it can also describe crying in a restrained or tearful way. Because the action is associated with intimacy and vulnerability, snuffling frequently appears in literary descriptions of childhood, illness, sleep, or quiet grief. It is more expressive than the neutral word sniffing and can imply that the sound is subdued, persistent, or slightly awkward. In everyday use, the term is most natural when describing a person’s breathing or tears rather than an animal or mechanical process.
To breathe noisily or repeatedly through the nose, or to cry in a quiet, sniffling manner.
"The dog was snuffling at the ground as it followed the scent."
Often describes a subdued sound and can suggest crying, illness, sleep, or close attention to a smell.
The act or sound of breathing noisily through the nose, or of crying quietly.
"There was a sudden snuffling from behind the door."
Less common than the verb form, but natural in literary description.
A snuffle is one of the body’s most candid signals: the nose announces emotion before the voice does.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does snuffling come from?
Snuffling is the present participle of snuffle. The verb snuffle has uncertain historical origins and is generally associated with making repeated sounds through the nose; its spelling reflects the older form snuff, which could also mean drawing breath through the nose. The modern sense of crying quietly developed from the idea of accompanying tears with nasal breathing.
How snuffling is actually used
The word is mildly expressive and often conveys a small, vulnerable, or childlike sound. It is common in descriptions of crying, sleep, or a blocked nose.
Easily confused with snuffling
Sniffling emphasizes short, repeated inhalations, while snuffling can suggest noisier or more forceful breathing through the nose and may also refer to subdued crying.
Snuffing usually means extinguishing a candle or consuming snuff, whereas snuffling refers to noisy breathing through the nose.