sniffle
SNIF-ul
/ˈsnɪf.əl/
To breathe in noisily through the nose repeatedly, typically due to a cold or crying.
An audible, frequent sound associated with mild nasal drainage or light sadness.
The story behind the word. A frequentative form derived from Middle English 'snyffen'. It mimics the sound made when trying to prevent nasal fluid from running down your nose.
Word relationships
- snicker: 'Snicker' is a suppressed laugh, completely unrelated to breathing fluid in the nose.
- snort: 'Snort' is a sudden, forceful exhalation or inhalation through the nose, often showing contempt.
Commonly confused with
- sneeze: A sniffle is a conscious or quiet inhalation; a sneeze is an involuntary, explosive exhalation.
Word family
- sniffly (adjective): Inclined to sniffle or suffering from a runny nose.
- sniff (verb): To draw air audibly through the nose.
Collocations
- the sniffles
- sniffle loudly
- suppress a sniffle
- catch the sniffles
Idioms & expressions
- have the sniffles
Example sentences
- "He began to sniffle continuously during the cold morning walk." Observational narrative
Memory hook
SNIFFLE is a SNIFF that keeps repeating when you feel unwell. Repeated quiet nasal inhalation.
When not to use
Do not use in formal clinical papers; use 'nasal discharge' or 'rhinorrhea' instead.
Fun facts
- In modern English, 'the sniffles' is pluralized into a noun phrase describing a mild, non-serious cold.
Related words
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