waft
/wɒft/ (bre, ipa) · /wɑːft/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈwäft ˈwaft/ (ame, mw)
waft — verb
- waft,present simple I / you / we / they
- waftpresent simple I / you / we / they
- wafts,he / she / it
- waftshe / she / it
- wafted,past simple
- waftedpast simple
- wafting,-ing form
- wafting-ing form
1. For a smell, smoke, sound, or a light current of air — to move smoothly through
For a smell, smoke, sound, or a light current of air — to move smoothly through the air without force. If you waft something, you gently push or carry it through the air, often with your hand or a movement of air.
The sweet smell of jasmine wafted through the open kitchen window.
waft + through + [place] for movement direction
Hana wafted the smoke from the grill away with a folded newspaper.
transitive: waft + object + away
A faint melody wafted across the lake from the distant church.
Christopher opened the balcony door so fresh air could waft into the stuffy room.
- drift
More passive and directionless; can be on water or air. Drift suggests being carried by a current, while waft implies gentle movement through air only.
- float
Stays suspended rather than moving across a distance. A balloon floats; a scent wafts across a room.
- glide
Smooth, controlled movement, often with purpose. Glide implies more intention than waft, which is passive and wind-driven.
- blast
Moves with force and speed, the opposite of waft's gentleness.
文法句型
waft + adverb/preposition
waft + object + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
Often followed by a prepositional phrase indicating direction (through, across, into, up, over). The subject is typically a lightweight substance — a smell, smoke, steam, sound, or a light breeze. When used transitively, the object is something light that can be moved by a gentle push of air.
常見錯誤
waft — noun
- waftsingular
- waftsplural
1. A small amount of a smell, smoke, or other lightweight substance that travels ge
A small amount of a smell, smoke, or other lightweight substance that travels gently through the air, often in a brief or passing way.
A rich waft of coffee drew Vivek into the small café on the corner.
a waft of + [scent] + verb of movement
Bao detected a faint waft of smoke from the kitchen and went to check.
a waft of smoke — common collocation
As Élise opened the old trunk, a sweet waft of dried lavender reached her.
Each time the door swung open, a waft of cooking smells escaped into the hall.
- whiff
More sudden and short-lived than a waft. A whiff is a quick sniff of a smell; a waft can last a little longer as the air carries it.
- puff
Implies a small burst of air or smoke, often from one source. A puff of smoke from a pipe vs. a waft of smoke drifting across the room.
- hint
Very faint trace of a smell. Hint emphasises weakness; waft emphasises gentle movement.
文法句型
a waft of + [scent/smoke/substance]
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the pattern a waft of + noun (scent, smoke, perfume, steam, aroma). It refers to a brief or passing encounter with the substance, not a continuous flow.
常見錯誤
2. A long, narrow flag or pennant used on ships or in coastal settings to send sign
A long, narrow flag or pennant used on ships or in coastal settings to send signals or to show the direction of the wind.
A bright orange waft flew from the mast to show the wind direction.
waft as nautical signal flag
The navy vessel hoisted a long blue waft as a signal during the exercise.
Lucía spotted the faded waft hanging from the pole near the harbour.
The old fisherman pointed at the tattered waft above the pier.
- pennant
The more common term for a long, narrow flag used on ships. Waft is much rarer and more specialised.
- flag
General term for any piece of cloth used as a symbol or signal. Waft refers specifically to a long, tapering shape.
- streamer
Like a waft in shape but usually decorative rather than functional for signalling.
用法筆記
This is a specialised nautical term. In modern everyday English, most speakers use flag or pennant instead. The word appears mainly in historical or maritime writing.