snuffle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, descriptive, sometimes humorous or pejorative.
Quick answer
What does “snuffle” mean?
To breathe noisily through a partly blocked nose, often with a sniffing sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To breathe noisily through a partly blocked nose, often with a sniffing sound.
To speak or act in a whining, tearful, or sentimental manner; to search or investigate by sniffing (especially of an animal).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The noun form (a snuffle) is slightly more common in UK English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it can carry a slightly negative or pitiable connotation when applied to people.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but understood. Slightly more common in children's literature and animal descriptions.
Grammar
How to Use “snuffle” in a Sentence
[Subject] snuffles (intransitive)[Subject] snuffles [Adverbial] (e.g., around, through)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “snuffle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The toddler started to snuffle miserably after falling over.
- The pig snuffled for truffles in the oak grove.
American English
- He's been snuffling all week with that awful cold.
- The dog snuffled around the base of the tree, looking for the squirrel.
adverb
British English
- (Rare) He apologized snufflingly, clearly upset.
American English
- (Rare) She spoke snufflingly into the phone, fighting back tears.
adjective
British English
- He spoke in a snuffly voice, his nose completely blocked.
- The snuffling hedgehog was a common sight in the garden at dusk.
American English
- I could hear her snuffly breathing from the next room.
- A snuffling sound came from the raccoon rummaging in the trash.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Rare, except in literary analysis or zoology/ethology (e.g., 'The badger snuffled through the undergrowth').
Everyday
Used to describe someone with a bad cold or a child crying. 'Stop snuffling and blow your nose.'
Technical
Used in veterinary or animal behavior contexts to describe specific sniffing behaviors.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “snuffle”
- Using 'snuffle' to mean a light, discreet sniff. It is inherently noisy.
- Confusing it with 'shuffle' (to drag one's feet).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Very similar. 'Sniffle' is more common for light, repeated sniffing from a cold or crying. 'Snuffle' often implies a wetter, more obstructed nasal sound.
Yes, very commonly. It describes the noisy sniffing animals do when investigating something with their nose close to the ground (e.g., a dog snuffling in the grass).
No, it is informal and descriptive. It is rarely used in formal or academic writing, except in specific fields like zoology.
The noun is also 'snuffle' (e.g., 'He gave a little snuffle'). The related adjective is 'snuffly'.
To breathe noisily through a partly blocked nose, often with a sniffing sound.
Snuffle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsnʌf(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsnʌf(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Snuffle and blow (to clear one's nose noisily)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'puffle' (a soft, round thing) with an 'sn' – a soft, round sound made by a stuffy nose.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS IS NASAL CONGESTION (e.g., 'snuffle with grief').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'snuffle' LEAST appropriate?