sniffle

From sniff +‎ -le (frequentative suffix). Compare snivel.

• (Received Pronunciation, General American, Canada, General Australian) IPA^(key): /ˈsnɪf.əl/

  • Audio (US):

    (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪfəl
• (New Zealand) IPA^(key): /ˈsnəf.əl/

sniffle (third-person singular simple present sniffles, present participle sniffling, simple past and past participle sniffled)

1. (intransitive) To make a whimpering or sniffing sound when breathing, because of a runny nose.

   Her dad heard her sniffling and passed her a handkerchief.

2. (transitive) To utter with a whimpering or sniffing sound.

   He sniffled a pathetic apology.

• snivel (verb), snuff (verb), snuffle (verb)

sniffle (plural sniffles)

1. The act, or the sound of sniffling; the condition of having a runny or wet nose, as from a cold or allergies.

   I sometimes have a sniffle during allergy season.

• snuff (noun), snuffle (noun)

• niffles