sniffle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal
Quick answer
What does “sniffle” mean?
To repeatedly breathe in noisily through the nose, especially because of a cold or crying.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To repeatedly breathe in noisily through the nose, especially because of a cold or crying.
To show mild, self-pitying, or quiet emotional distress, often through audible nasal sounds.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or use.
Connotations
Slight connotation of childishness or self-pity in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both UK and US informal speech.
Grammar
How to Use “sniffle” in a Sentence
SUBJECT sniffs (because of/with [CAUSE])SUBJECT gives a sniffleVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sniffle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He sniffled all through the film because of his hay fever.
- Don't sniffle into your sleeve, use a tissue.
American English
- She sniffled quietly during the sad part of the show.
- The kid's been sniffling all day; I think he's getting sick.
adverb
British English
- She cried sniffly into her handkerchief.
- He answered sniffly, clearly upset.
American English
- He talked sniffly over the phone, battling a cold.
- The puppy whined sniffly at the door.
adjective
British English
- He spoke in a sniffly, congested voice.
- A sniffly child is often a tired child.
American English
- I'm feeling a bit sniffly today.
- Her apology was sniffly and sincere.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; would be considered unprofessional.
Academic
Not used in formal writing.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation about minor illness or emotion.
Technical
Not used in medical terminology (prefer 'rhinorrhea').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sniffle”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sniffle”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sniffle”
- Using 'sniffle' as a noun for a single, deliberate sniff (use 'sniff').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Sniff' is a single, often deliberate act of inhaling through the nose (to smell or express disdain). 'Sniffle' is a repeated, often involuntary soft sound made when one has a cold or is quietly crying.
Yes, commonly in the singular ('a sniffle') to denote the sound/act, or in the plural ('the sniffles') to denote a minor cold.
No, it is informal. Formal contexts would use phrases like 'nasal congestion' or 'rhinorrhea' for the medical condition, or 'wept quietly' for the emotional state.
The adjective is 'sniffly' (e.g., a sniffly voice, feeling sniffly).
To repeatedly breathe in noisily through the nose, especially because of a cold or crying.
Sniffle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsnɪf(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsnɪf(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Have/get the sniffles (a minor cold)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The word itself sounds like the action: 'snif-fle' mimics the repeated, light nasal sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND OF DISTRESS IS A NASAL SOUND (e.g., 'sniffling with regret').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'sniffle' correctly?