sniffing

Verb

sniff (third-person singular simple present sniffs, present participle sniffing, simple past and past participle sniffed)

1. (ambitransitive) To make a short, audible inhalation, through the nose, as when smelling something; to smell (something).
   • The dog sniffed around the park, searching for a nice scent.
   1. (ambitransitive, transitive) To say (something) while sniffing, such as in case of illness or unhappiness, or in contempt.
      • "He's never coming back, is he?" she sniffed while looking at a picture of him.
   2. (UK, ambitransitive, slang) To inhale drugs (usually cocaine) through the nose, usually in powder form.
      • Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue.1980, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, directors, Airplane!, spoken by Steve McCroskey (Lloyd Bridges)
   3. (ambitransitive, figuratively) To be dismissive or contemptuous of something; used with at.
      • This opportunity is not to be sniffed at.
   4. (ambitransitive, broadly, transitive) To perceive vaguely.
      • I don't know, of course, what your precious Radicals are planning to do, and I don't want to know; but I can sniff trouble in the air, nevertheless.1952, Isabelle Hughes, Lorena Telforth, page 223
2. (intransitive) To pry; to investigate in an interfering manner.
   • COOMBE: He got the clinch only last week — eighteen months. You see it's no good having anybody here as ain't got a^([sic]) unblemished character. We don't want to have the bluebottles come sniffing round here, do we?1882, Henry Herman, Henry Arthur Jones, The Silver King

See all 13 meanings of sniff