snifter: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequency; known but not common in everyday speech.Informal for the 'small drink' meaning; formal/technical for the glassware meaning.
Quick answer
What does “snifter” mean?
A short-stemmed, balloon-shaped glass used for drinking brandy or other spirits, allowing the aroma to be concentrated and enjoyed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A short-stemmed, balloon-shaped glass used for drinking brandy or other spirits, allowing the aroma to be concentrated and enjoyed.
Used informally to refer to a small alcoholic drink (especially brandy) or a small amount of something. It can also describe the act of sniffing or taking a brief, sharp inhalation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is understood in both varieties but is more commonly used, especially in the 'small drink' sense, in British English. In American English, it's primarily associated with the specific glassware.
Connotations
UK: Can sound quaint or slightly archaic when used for 'a drink'. US: Primarily a connoisseur's term for a brandy glass.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English, though still not a high-frequency word.
Grammar
How to Use “snifter” in a Sentence
a snifter of [spirit (e.g., brandy, cognac)]to have a snifterVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “snifter” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- He poured a generous snifter of aged Armagnac.
- Fancy a quick snifter at the pub before we head home?
American English
- The bartender presented the cognac in a proper snifter.
- He collects antique snifters from the 19th century.
verb
British English
- The dog sniftered at the air, catching a new scent.
- He sniftered the bouquet of the whisky appreciatively.
American English
- She sniftered the aroma of the fine port before taking a sip.
- The rabbit sniftered cautiously before emerging.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in the luxury goods, hospitality, or spirits industry.
Academic
Rare. Possibly in historical or cultural studies related to drinking habits.
Everyday
Informal, for describing a glass or a small alcoholic drink, often with a nostalgic or humorous tone.
Technical
Used in glassware manufacturing, bartending, or sommelier contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “snifter”
- Using 'snifter' to refer to any wine glass.
- Spelling as 'sniffter'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
While traditionally and ideally designed for brandy and cognac, snifters are also commonly used for other aromatic spirits like whisky, rum, or even certain cocktails.
Informally, yes, especially in British English. You might hear 'a snifter of milk' or 'a snifter of sherry,' though it originated with strong spirits.
A snifter has a wide bowl that narrows at the top and a short stem, designed to concentrate aroma. A tumbler is a flat-bottomed, straight-sided glass without a stem.
Yes, though it's less common and more literary. It means to sniff or inhale air briefly and audibly, often to detect a scent.
A short-stemmed, balloon-shaped glass used for drinking brandy or other spirits, allowing the aroma to be concentrated and enjoyed.
Snifter is usually informal for the 'small drink' meaning; formal/technical for the glassware meaning. in register.
Snifter: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsnɪf.tə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsnɪf.tɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a snifter for the road (a small drink before leaving)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'sniff' + 'glass'. You sniff the aroma from a snifter glass.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER FOR AN EXPERIENCE (the glass contains not just liquid but aroma and a specific drinking ritual).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is the most accurate definition of a 'snifter'?