whiff
UK: wɪf | US: wɪf
n. a brief, slight gust or puff of air, smoke, or odor
n. a faint trace or indication of something
vt. to inhale or exhale lightly; to smell briefly
vi. (sports) to miss hitting a ball, especially in baseball or golf
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"Whiff" is an onomatopoeic word, imitating the sound of a light, sudden gust of air or a quick puff. It first appeared in English in the late 16th century, likely influenced by the sound of blowing or a faint exhalation. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to describe fleeting smells, traces, or even failures (e.g., missing a ball in sports). As an onomatopoeic term, it is monomorphic and cannot be split further.
A whiff of fresh bread wafted from the bakery.
He took a whiff of the flower and smiled.
The batter swung but got only a whiff of the ball.
There was a whiff of scandal in the politician’s resignation.
The wind carried a whiff of salt from the ocean.