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

Also, keep a first-aid kit stocked and accessible for minor cuts, scrapes, and sniffles. 10 Appliances to Unplug Before Vacation 5. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2024

She can often be seen sniffling and at one point, breaks down in tears. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024

Noun

December brings holiday cheer ... and also holiday sniffles. —Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 3 Dec. 2024

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