Definition

1. Verb:

   • To breathe noisily through the nose, especially because of a cold or while crying. This often involves a congested, sniffing sound.
   • To speak in a nasal, muffled tone, as if one's nose is blocked.
   • To sniff or smell something, especially in a repeated or inquisitive manner.

2. Noun:

   • The act or sound of snuffling; a noisy inhalation through a congested nose.
   • (The snuffles, informal) A condition of nasal congestion, such as from a minor cold.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:

  • The child continued to snuffle quietly after crying.
  • "I don't feel well," he snuffled, his voice thick with a cold.
  • The dog snuffled around the base of the tree, searching for a scent.

• Noun:

  • The only sound in the room was the soft snuffle of the sleeping baby.
  • I think I'm getting the snuffles; my nose is starting to run.

Advanced Usage

• "To snuffle out": To discover something by sniffing or investigating persistently (often used for animals).
  • The truffle hog snuffled out the prized fungus from under the leaves.

Variants and Related Words

• Snuffly (adjective): Characterized by or producing a snuffling sound.
  • She had a snuffly cough all week.
• Sniffle: A very close synonym, often used interchangeably, though "sniffle" can imply lighter, more frequent sounds.

Synonyms

• Verb: Sniffle, snort, breathe noisily, inhale nasally.
• Noun: Sniffle, snort.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Snuffle around/through: To search for something by sniffing or by looking in a clumsy, investigative manner.
  • He snuffled through the papers on his desk, trying to find the letter.

Related Idioms

• To have the snuffles: To have a minor head cold with a runny or blocked nose.
  • Don't come too close; I think I have the snuffles.

Noun

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

Verb

1. cry or whine with snuffling
   • Stop snivelling--you got yourself into this mess!
2. snuff up mucus through the nose
3. sniff or smell inquiringly