Sniff vs. Snort — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 23, 2024
niffing involves drawing air into the nose to smell something, usually quietly, while snorting is a forceful exhale through the nose, often loud and expressive.
Difference Between Sniff and Snort
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Key Differences
Sniffing is a gentle inhalation through the nose, typically done to detect or discern odors. It's a quiet, often subtle action used both by humans and animals to gather olfactory information. Conversely, snorting involves a forceful and sometimes abrupt exhalation through the nose, which can be used to express disdain, laughter, or irritation.
When someone sniffs, they are usually trying to pick up a scent or test the air for a particular smell, such as when smelling a flower or food. On the other hand, snorting may be a reaction to a strong emotion or a way to clear the nasal passages, often sounding louder and more pronounced than a sniff.
In social contexts, sniffing can be seen as a normal and often necessary gesture, such as when someone is experiencing a cold or allergy symptoms. In contrast, snorting can be perceived as rude or comical, depending on the circumstances, reflecting a stronger, more involuntary response.
Sniffing is an action that is controlled and deliberate, aiming to maximize the intake of air into the nasal passages for olfactory analysis. Meanwhile, snorting is generally more spontaneous, serving as a bodily reaction to various internal or external stimuli.
While both actions involve the nose, sniffing is associated with exploring or enjoying scents, and it can be a discreet, almost undetectable action. Snorting, however, is less about olfaction and more about a quick, often noisy release of air, signifying strong reactions or emotions.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Gentle inhalation through the nose to detect odors.
Forceful exhale through the nose, often loud.
Purpose
To smell and gather olfactory information.
To express emotion or clear nasal passages.
Sound
Quiet and subtle.
Loud and abrupt.
Social Perception
Normal, necessary for detecting smells.
Can be perceived as rude or comical.
Physical Action
Controlled and deliberate inhalation.
Spontaneous and forceful exhalation.
Compare with Definitions
Sniff
To draw air through the nose in short, audible inhalations.
She sniffed the perfume to appreciate its aroma.
Snort
To reject something scornfully or derisively.
She snorted the idea, calling it impractical.
Sniff
To use the sense of smell to detect or investigate something.
The dog sniffed the ground for clues.
Snort
To clear the nasal passages suddenly and loudly.
He snorted to clear the dust from his nose after cleaning the attic.
Sniff
A quick, soft inhalation through the nose.
He gave a discreet sniff at the new dish.
Snort
To make a loud or harsh sound by forcing air through the nose.
The horse snorted as it galloped across the field.
Sniff
To inhale something briefly and gently through the nose.
He sniffed the air, detecting the scent of rain.
Snort
To express contempt or amusement abruptly.
He snorted in disbelief at the absurd claim.
Sniff
To show disdain or suspicion through a sniff.
She sniffed at the suggestion, clearly unimpressed.
Snort
A quick, explosive exhalation through the nostrils.
Her laughter ended in a loud snort.
Sniff
To inhale a short, audible breath through the nose, as in smelling something.
Snort
A rough, noisy sound made by breathing forcefully through the nostrils, as a horse or pig does.
Sniff
To sniffle.
Snort
A similar sound
The snort of a steam engine.
Sniff
To use the sense of smell, as in savoring or investigating
Sniffed at the jar to see what it held.
Snort
A drink of liquor, especially when swallowed in one gulp.
Sniff
To regard something in a contemptuous or dismissive manner
The critics sniffed at the adaptation of the novel to film.
Snort
Cocaine or heroin, especially a small amount sniffed at one time.
Sniff
(Informal) To pry; snoop
The reporters came sniffing around for more details.
Snort
The liquor or drug so taken.
Sniff
To inhale forcibly through the nose
Sniffed the cool morning air.
Snort
To breathe noisily and forcefully through the nostrils.
Sniff
To smell, as in savoring or investigating
Sniffed the lilacs.
Sniffed the breeze for traces of smoke.
Snort
To make a sound resembling noisy exhalation
"The wind snorted across the Kansas plains" (Gail Sheehy).
Sniff
To perceive or detect by or as if by sniffing
Dogs that sniffed out the trail through the snow.
Sniffed trouble ahead.
Snort
To make an abrupt noise expressive of scorn, ridicule, or contempt.
Sniff
To utter in a contemptuous or haughty manner
The countess sniffed her disapproval.
Snort
To ingest a drug, such as cocaine or heroin, by sniffing.
Sniff
An instance or the sound of sniffing.
Snort
To express by snorting
He snorted his disapproval.
Sniff
Something sniffed or perceived by or as if by sniffing; a whiff
A sniff of perfume.
A sniff of scandal.
Snort
To ingest by sniffing
Snorted cocaine.
Sniff
(ambitransitive) To make a short, audible inhalation, through the nose, as when smelling something.
The dog sniffed around the park, searching for a nice scent.
I sniffed the meat to see whether it had gone off.
Snort
The sound made by exhaling or inhaling roughly through the nose.
Sniff
(transitive) To say (something) while sniffing, such as in case of illness or unhappiness, or in contempt.
"He's never coming back, is he?" she sniffed while looking at a picture of him.
Snort
(slang) A dose of snuff or other drug to be snorted.
Sniff
(transitive) To perceive vaguely.
Snort
(slang) A consumed portion of alcoholic drink.
Sniff
(intransitive) To pry; to investigate in an interfering manner.
Snort
A submarine snorkel.
Sniff
To be dismissive or contemptuous of something.
This opportunity is not to be sniffed at.
Snort
(intransitive) To make a snort; to exhale roughly through the nose.
She snorted with laughter.
Sniff
(computing) To intercept and analyse packets of data being transmitted over a network.
Snort
(transitive) To express or force out by snorting.
He snorted a derisory reply and turned on his heel.
Sniff
To inhale drugs (usually cocaine) through the nose, usually in powder form.
Snort
To inhale (usually a drug) through the nose.
To snort cocaine
Sniff
(countable) An instance of sniffing.
She gave the flowers a quick sniff to check they were real.
Snort
To snore.
Sniff
(countable) A quantity of something that is inhaled through the nose.
Snort
To sail at periscope depth through the use of a snort or snorkel.
Sniff
A brief perception, or tiny amount.
Snort
To force the air with violence through the nose, so as to make a noise, as do high-spirited horsed in prancing and play.
Sniff
Cocaine.
Snort
To snore.
Sniff
A short inhalation sound, sometimes associated with crying.
Snort
To laugh out loudly.
Sniff
To draw air audibly up the nose; to snuff; - sometimes done as a gesture of suspicion, offense, or contempt.
So ye grow squeamish, gods, and sniff at heaven.
Snort
To expel throught the nostrils with a snort; to utter with a snort.
Sniff
To draw in with the breath through the nose; as, to sniff the air of the country.
Snort
The act of snorting; the sound produced in snorting.
Sniff
To perceive as by sniffing; to snuff, to scent; to smell; as, to sniff danger.
Snort
A disrespectful laugh
Sniff
The act of sniffing; perception by sniffing; that which is taken by sniffing; as, a sniff of air.
Snort
A cry or noise made to express displeasure or contempt
Sniff
Sensing an odor by inhaling through the nose
Snort
Indicate contempt by breathing noisily and forcefully through the nose;
She snorted her disapproval of the proposed bridegroom
Sniff
Perceive by inhaling through the nose;
Sniff the perfume
Snort
Make a snorting sound by exhaling hard;
The critic snorted contemtuously
Sniff
Inhale audibly through the nose;
The sick student was sniffling in the back row
Snort
Inhale recreational drugs
Snort
Inhale through the nose
Snort
Ingest through the nose;
The drug addict was snorting cocaine every night
Common Curiosities
Can animals snort and sniff?
Yes, many animals both snort and sniff as part of their sensory and communicative behaviors.
Is snorting considered rude?
Snorting can be considered rude in many social contexts, especially if it's loud and used to express scorn.
What is the primary purpose of sniffing?
The primary purpose of sniffing is to detect smells and gather olfactory information.
What is the difference in sound between sniffing and snorting?
Sniffing is typically a quiet, subtle sound, while snorting is louder and more forceful.
How does sniffing help in taste?
Sniffing enhances taste by allowing olfactory senses to contribute to flavor perception.
Is snorting ever beneficial?
Snorting can be beneficial as it helps clear the nasal passages of irritants.
What emotions might trigger a snort?
Emotions such as disbelief, irritation, or amusement often trigger a snort.
What types of products can trigger snorting?
Strong odors, dust, or other nasal irritants can trigger snorting.
Can sniffing be involuntary?
While sniffing can be both involuntary and voluntary, it is often a deliberate action to smell something.
Why do people snort?
People snort to express strong emotions like disdain or amusement, or to clear their nasal passages.
Can sniffing be a sign of a health issue?
Frequent sniffing can be a sign of respiratory issues, allergies, or colds.
How are sniffing and snorting depicted in media?
In media, sniffing is often depicted as a normal action for smelling, while snorting is used for comic or dramatic effect.
How do children react to sniffing and snorting?
Children may mimic sniffing and snorting behaviors they see in adults or animals, often finding snorting amusing.
What is the anatomical basis for sniffing and snorting?
Both actions involve the nasal passages, but sniffing uses inhalation to draw air in, while snorting uses exhalation to force air out.
Is there a cultural aspect to snorting?
Cultural perceptions of snorting vary, and it can be more acceptable or humorous in some cultures than others.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
