Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Liable to sniffle; characterized by or making a sniffing sound: Describes a person, animal, or sound that is prone to or involves sniffing, often due to a cold, crying, or a blocked nose. The sound is typically soft, wet, and repeated.

Usage

• The word "snuffling" is used to describe the action, sound, or state of someone who is sniffing repeatedly.
• It often implies a slight nasal obstruction or an emotional state (like crying) that causes the sniffing.
• It can describe both the person/animal producing the sound and the sound itself.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The snuffling child needed a tissue.
  • We could hear the snuffling of the hedgehog in the garden at night.
  • He spoke in a snuffling voice because of his terrible cold.

Advanced Usage

• "To be snuffling": This verbal adjective form describes the ongoing action.
  • The puppy was snuffling around the base of the tree, searching for the scent.

Variants and Related Words

• Snuffle (verb): To breathe noisily through a partially blocked nose.
  • He began to snuffle as the cold set in.
• Sniffle (verb/noun): To sniff repeatedly, especially because of a cold or crying. Often interchangeable with "snuffle," but can imply lighter, quieter sounds.
  • She had a case of the sniffles.

Synonyms

• Sniffling: Very similar in meaning, often used interchangeably.
• Snorting: A louder, more forceful nasal sound.
• Wheezing: A high-pitched whistling sound from the chest, often related to breathing difficulties, not specifically nasal.

Related Phrases

• To snuffle around: To search for something by sniffing.
  • The dog snuffled around in the leaves.

Adjective

1. liable to sniffle