How do you use the word "sniff" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "sniff": Why do you sniff things you see on the ground? Sniff, Rover was a good dog.

Sniff Meaning

/snɪf/

Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

verbTo make a short, audible inhalation, through the nose, as when smelling something.

verbTo say (something) while sniffing, such as in case of illness or unhappiness, or in contempt.

Sentence Examples

Why do you sniff things you see on the ground?

Sniff, Rover was a good dog.

CEFR Practice Quiz

The dog will ____ the ground using its nose to find the buried treat.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

The cat gave the new food a curious ____ before deciding whether or not to actually eat it.

Word Origin & History

From Middle English sniffen, of imitative origin.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"Carrot ran past him to get to the barrel first, and peered down at the cowering Catweazle. “No rats, Dad,” he said. “What's that terrible pong, then?” said Mr Bennett, sniffing." — 1970, Richard Carpenter, Catweazle, Harmondsworth: Puffin Books, page 21:

"I don't know, of course, what your precious Radicals are planning to do, and I don't want to know; but I can sniff trouble in the air, nevertheless." — 1952, Isabelle Hughes, Lorena Telforth, page 223:

"COOMBE: He got the clinch only last week — eighteen months. You see it's no good having anybody here as ain't got a^([sic]) unblemished character. We don't want to have the bluebottles come sniffing round here, do we?" — 1882, Henry Herman, Henry Arthur Jones, The Silver King:

"Looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue." — 1980, Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, directors, Airplane!, spoken by Steve McCroskey (Lloyd Bridges):

"Tottenham did have a sniff of goal when Defoe's drilled cross just eluded his strike partner at the far post but their best effort came early in the second half when Ryan Fredericks cut in from the right before firing into the side netting." — 2011 November 3, Chris Bevan, “Rubin Kazan 1 - 0 Tottenham”, in BBC Sport:

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