SNIFFLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sniffle mean? 

• SNIFFLE (noun)
  The noun SNIFFLE has 1 sense:

1. the act of breathing heavily through the nose (as when the nose is congested)

  Familiarity information: SNIFFLE used as a noun is very rare.

• SNIFFLE (verb)
  The verb SNIFFLE has 2 senses:

1. cry or whine with snuffling

2. inhale audibly through the nose

  Familiarity information: SNIFFLE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SNIFFLE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of breathing heavily through the nose (as when the nose is congested)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

sniffle; snivel; snuffle

Hypernyms ("sniffle" is a kind of...):

breathing; external respiration; respiration; ventilation (the bodily process of inhalation and exhalation; the process of taking in oxygen from inhaled air and releasing carbon dioxide by exhalation)

Derivation:

sniffle (inhale audibly through the nose)

sniffly (liable to sniffle)

• SNIFFLE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they sniffle    ... he / she / it sniffles   
Past simple: sniffled   
Past participle: sniffled   
-ing form: sniffling   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Cry or whine with snuffling

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

blub; blubber; sniffle; snivel; snuffle

Context example:

Stop snivelling--you got yourself into this mess!

Hypernyms (to "sniffle" is one way to...):

cry; weep (shed tears because of sadness, rage, or pain)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sense 2

Meaning:

Inhale audibly through the nose

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Synonyms:

sniff; sniffle

Context example:

the sick student was sniffling in the back row

Hypernyms (to "sniffle" is one way to...):

breathe in; inhale; inspire (draw in (air))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

sniffle (the act of breathing heavily through the nose (as when the nose is congested))

 Context examples 

"I don't care," she sniffled. "Tom was a good boy."

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

I was not sniffling, though my face might well have been drawn and twitching from the pain.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Beauty Smith regained his feet and came toward him, sniffling and cowardly.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

His eyes snapped vindictively, while his ears joyed in the sniffles she emitted.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

He sniffled and wept, but Wolf Larsen was pitiless.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

She tried to sniff contemptuously, but succeeded in producing only a sniffle.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)