1 whiff | Definition of whiff

whiff

noun
\ ˈhwif How to pronounce whiff (audio) , ˈwif\

Definition of whiff

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a quick puff or slight gust especially of air, odor, gas, smoke, or spray
b : an inhalation of odor, gas, or smoke
c : a slight puffing or whistling sound
2 : a slight trace or indication a whiff of scandal
3 : strikeout

whiff

verb
whiffed; whiffing; whiffs

Definition of whiff (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to move with or as if with a puff of air
2 : to emit whiffs : puff
3 : to inhale an odor

transitive verb

1a : to carry or convey by or as if by a whiff : blow
b : to expel or puff out in a whiff : exhale
2 : fan sense 8 whiffed three batters

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Synonyms for whiff

Synonyms: Noun

breath, flicker, glimmer, hint, suggestion, tang, touch, trace

Synonyms: Verb

nose, scent, smell, sniff, snuff

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Examples of whiff in a Sentence

Noun

I got a whiff of new paint when I entered the room. I detected a whiff of sarcasm in her voice. The pitcher had eight whiffs during the game.

Verb

He whiffed a strong odor of perfume. The golfer nearly whiffed the shot. The golfer nearly whiffed on the shot.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

As if all of that weren’t enough, there was even a whiff of sectarianism to the school’s plight. Peter Schwartzstein, Smithsonian, "What the Restoration of Iraq’s Oldest University Says About the Nation’s Future," 4 Sep. 2019 With future $200 million man Gerritt Cole and six-time All-Star Zack Greinke rounding out Houston’s playoff rotation, the Astros should orchestrate a whiff parade in October. Michael Shapiro, SI.com, "World Series Power Rankings: Which Division Leader Should Be the Title Favorite?," 3 Sep. 2019 Mullen watched the Gators whiff on Hurricanes’ ball carriers during some key moments of the Aug. 24 matchup. Edgar Thompson, orlandosentinel.com, "Dan Mullen: UF’s missed tackles not an easy fix as Gators shy away from live contact," 1 Sep. 2019 Seminoles whiff on big win Everything was going Florida State’s way to start Willie Taggart’s second season leading the Seminoles. Los Angeles Times, "College football spotlight: Oregon blows big chance for itself and Pac-12," 31 Aug. 2019 After many years of stability under Mrs Merkel, there is a whiff of change in the air. The Economist, "Elections in the east test Germany’s creaky unity government," 31 Aug. 2019 In 2015, Current and Elliott launched The Great, a relaxed coterie of everything that's fashionable right now: prairie dresses, collegiate separates, distressed denim and a whiff of Parisienne je ne sais quoi. Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "Former denim designers behind Current/Elliott debut exclusive Pottery Barn collection at Indianola," 29 Aug. 2019 Yet a whiff won't remind you of your grandmother's rose garden; more like a vacation on the dreamy coastline of Monaco. Maya Allen, Marie Claire, "Why Tom Ford's Métallique Fragrance Is Worth It," 28 Aug. 2019 Though access to the field is usually open, Bethel Woods is setting restrictions next weekend to avoid any whiff of Woodstock-style chaos. Michael Hill, BostonGlobe.com, "No chaos this time as Woodstock concert site preps for 50th," 11 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Milwaukee whiffed against 28 pitches, one shy of matching Cole's season-high. Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle, "George Springer's homer lifts Astros to 10-inning win over Brewers," 2 Sep. 2019 Cody Bellinger whiffed on all of his heavy hacks, striking out swinging three times. Jack Harriswriter, Los Angeles Times, "James Paxton dominates Dodgers and hears it from Yankees fans at Dodger Stadium," 24 Aug. 2019 Pity Martinez launched a ball that created some chaos in the box, and Julio Cascante whiffed on clearing the ball out, allowing Gonzalez Pirez to knock it into the back of the net. Caitlin Murray | For The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive.com, "Déjà vu for Portland Timbers in loss to Atlanta in MLS Cup rematch," 18 Aug. 2019 Over 79 ⅓ innings (15 starts), Gore has whiffed 110 hitters – compared to 20 walks – and has held opponents to a .137 average with a 1.02 ERA. Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, "10 top MLB prospects to watch in the 2019 Futures Game," 6 July 2019 When the blockers whiffed, the rookie cleaned up their mistakes. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: One word for Kyler Murray’s NFL debut -- whew," 8 Aug. 2019 Compounding matters, Michigan whiffed on grad transfers. Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan basketball and Franz Wagner are a perfect fit for this season," 7 July 2019 The team whiffed on its pursuits of Odell Beckham and Antonio Brown, leaving last year’s group of receivers mostly intact. Michael Beller, SI.com, "Fantasy Football: Aaron Jones, Chris Godwin Among Early 2019 Breakout Candidates," 11 June 2019 Lawmakers once again whiffed on enacting ethics reform, taking up but never voting on a bill in the waning moments of the session that would have asked voters to amend the state Constitution to ban lobbyist gifts. Jason Hancock, Allison Kite And Tessa Weinberg, kansascity, "GOP lawmakers mark victories in 2018 session despite cloud cast by Greitens’ scandals | The Kansas City Star," 18 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'whiff.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of whiff

Noun

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1591, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

History and Etymology for whiff

Noun

imitative

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More Definitions for whiff

whiff

noun

English Language Learners Definition of whiff

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a slight smell of something : an odor that is weak
: a slight trace or indication

whiff

verb

English Language Learners Definition of whiff (Entry 2 of 2)

US, informal
: to notice (a smell)
of a pitcher : to cause (a batter) to be out by pitching three strikes
of a batter : to make an out by getting three strikes