sniffle

1 of 2

verb

snif·​fle ˈsni-fəl 

sniffled; sniffling ˈsni-f(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to sniff repeatedly : snuffle

2

: to speak with or as if with sniffling

sniffler

ˈsni-f(ə-)lər 

noun

sniffle

2 of 2

noun

1

sniffles plural : a head cold marked by nasal discharge

2

: an act or sound of sniffling

Examples of sniffle in a Sentence

Verb

The children have been sniffling for a week now.

“In your family's eyes,” she sniffled, “I'm not good enough.”

Noun

He couldn't stop his sniffles.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Wednesday’s episode opens with (of course) a flash-forward, this time of Joan sniffling back tears on a ship. —Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 30 Oct. 2024

Consider nasal sprays or other medications: Steroid sprays can reduce inflammation in your nose, and antihistamines help stop sneezing, sniffling, and itching. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 22 Oct. 2024

Noun

But many experts don’t recommend that people pop zinc tablets at the first sign of a sniffle. —Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 1 Nov. 2024

Cold weather is coming soon, so keep sniffles (and dry skin) at bay with a humidifier from Vitruvi. —Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

frequentative of sniff

First Known Use

Verb

1632, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sniffle

1 of 2 verb

snif·​fle ˈsnif-əl 

sniffled; sniffling -(ə-)liŋ 

1

: to sniff repeatedly

2

: to speak with or as if with sniffling

sniffle

2 of 2 noun

1

plural : a common cold in which the main symptom is a runny nose

2

: an act or sound of sniffling