whiff

Everyday

1. (noun) A short smell, often brief or faint: «a whiff of smoke». tree →
2. (noun) A slight sign or hint of something: «a whiff of danger». tree →
3. (verb, UK informal) To smell bad: «Your trainers whiff!» tree →
4. (US, sport) To swing at a ball and miss it completely. tree →
5. A whiff can also be a sudden, short puff of wind or breath. tree →

In the lessons

In stories a whiff warns or tempts — a whiff of smoke means fire, a whiff of cooking means dinner is near. In safety lessons a whiff of gas or smoke means tell an adult and get out. Phrases: «catch a whiff of», «get a whiff of», «a whiff of scandal».

Examples

• I caught a whiff of fresh bread from the bakery. tree →
• There's a whiff of smoke — tell an adult now! tree →
• Your football socks really whiff! tree →
• The dog got a whiff of the fox and ran off. tree →
• A whiff of danger made the explorers stop. tree →
• Mole caught a whiff of his old home and longed to go back. tree →
• The batter whiffed the ball and was out. tree →
• Just then a whiff of wind came rushing by and pressed together the broken edges. tree →

Note

Countable noun; plural «whiffs». Past form of verb «whiffed». Adjective «whiffy» (UK informal: smelly). A whiff is short and slight, not a strong lasting smell. If you smell gas at home, leave and call the emergency gas number.