What does whiff mean?
Whiff is an English noun and verb with several closely related uses. As a noun, it means a brief or faint smell, such as a whiff of smoke, perfume, or stale air. As a verb, it can mean to give off such a smell or to catch it briefly and unexpectedly. The expression often suggests that the odor is noticeable but not strong or long-lasting, which can make it useful for describing a passing scent in a crowded place or a sudden trace of something in the air. Whiff is also used in a more specialized sporting sense for hitting or attempting to hit a ball and missing it. Although the word is informal, it is established in both British and American English. It can carry a faintly dismissive tone when used for an unpleasant odor, but it is also appropriate for pleasant scents when the emphasis is on their delicacy or brevity.
A brief, faint, or slight smell; a small amount of an odor.
"There was a whiff of coffee from the kitchen."
Often informal, with a sense that the smell is momentary or only faintly present.
To give off or catch a brief or faint smell.
"The damp cloth whiffed of bleach."
Commonly used for an unexpected or passing odor.
To hit or attempt to hit a ball and miss it.
"He swung at the ball but whiffed."
This is a less common, specialized sense used especially in descriptions of ball sports.
Whiff is a countable noun when referring to separate occurrences or brief smells.
"Several whiffs of cigar smoke reached the balcony."
One whiff can be enough to reveal a whole hidden world of smoke, perfume, spice, or something unmistakably unpleasant.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of whiff
The origin of whiff is uncertain, and the word is commonly regarded as an imitative formation associated with a short puff of air or odor. It has no clearly established cognate family, so relationships with similar-sounding words should not be treated as secure etymological connections.
Related word forms
How whiff is actually used
Whiff is informal and often implies that an odor is slight, fleeting, or unexpected. It can describe a pleasant aroma as readily as an unpleasant smell, although it frequently carries a mildly dismissive or negative connotation. The separate sporting sense of missing a ball is less common and specialized.
Easily confused with whiff
A whiff is a brief smell, whereas a waft is a light movement or current of air, or something carried by such a current.