whiff
whiff Lexical Profile
whiff Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A brief, passing smell or odor, typically one carried on a breeze.
"She caught a sweet whiff of jasmine as she walked past the garden."
A slight hint, trace, or indication of something abstract, such as an emotion, quality, or upcoming event.
"There was a distinct whiff of panic in the financial markets following the sudden interest rate hike."
North American A complete miss when swinging at a ball, or a strikeout in sports such as baseball or golf.
"The batter took a massive swing but ended up with nothing but a whiff, securing the pitcher's third strikeout of the inning."
• verb
To smell or inhale something briefly or faintly.
"The hound whiffed the damp earth, searching for a scent trail left by the fox."
North American To swing at a ball and completely miss it, particularly in sports like baseball or golf.
"He whiffed on a fast slider and walked back to the dugout in frustration."
To blow, puff, or carry gently (especially referring to air, smoke, or an odor).
"A gentle coastal breeze whiffed through the open window, cooling the small room."
• Rhymes for whiff
Word Origin & Etymology
Late 16th century: originally a verb meaning 'blow with a slight breath', of imitative origin, mimicking the sound of a short puff of air.