1
a
: 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
whiffed; whiffing; whiffs
1
: to move with or as if with a puff of air
3
: to inhale an odor
1
2
: fan sense 8
whiffed three batters
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Feb. 2025
This is a first-round pick built like a skyscraper who tosses a 97-mph fastball and a couple of secondary pitches that induce a bunch of whiffs.
—Zack Meisel, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
Wrote Thomas Harrigan: Profar not only refined his approach at the plate, recording the lowest chase (21.9%) and whiff (17.0%) rates of his big league tenure, but also did more damage on contact than ever before.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whiff
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Noun
Other linen sprays make the most ordinary bedroom smell like a luxury hotel or offer a trip to Hawaii via a whiff of gardenia.
—Jenny Berg, Allure, 20 Feb. 2025
This is a first-round pick built like a skyscraper who tosses a 97-mph fastball and a couple of secondary pitches that induce a bunch of whiffs.
—Zack Meisel, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025
Verb
Even if the Pats whiff on both players, there are several other free agents at their positions who deserve big paydays and could land in New England; from Buccaneers wideout Chris Godwin to Chiefs receiver Marquise Brown and Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson.
—Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 16 Feb. 2025
Wrote Thomas Harrigan: Profar not only refined his approach at the plate, recording the lowest chase (21.9%) and whiff (17.0%) rates of his big league tenure, but also did more damage on contact than ever before.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for whiff
Cite this Entry
“Whiff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/whiff. Accessed 26 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
whiff
1 of 2 noun
ˈhwif 
ˈwif
1
: a quick puff or slight gust
a whiff of air
2
: a small quantity of odor, gas, or smoke that is breathed in
whiff
2 of 2 verb1
: to blow out or away in small amounts
2
: to breathe in an odor
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