whiff
/wɪf/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɪf] /wɪf/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈɪf] /ˈ(h)wif How to pronounce whiff (audio)/ (ame, mw)
whiff — noun
- whiffsingular
- whiffsplural
1. a very small amount of a smell that you notice for only a moment, usually becaus
a very small amount of a smell that you notice for only a moment, usually because the wind or air carries it past you.
Mei caught a whiff of smoke and immediately looked around for the source.
catch a whiff of + noun
A strong whiff of garlic came from the kitchen as we walked past the restaurant.
whiff of [food]
With each whiff of the salty sea air, Hana felt more relaxed on the beach.
The morning breeze carried a whiff of bread from the bakery across the street.
Kenji opened the old book and a faint whiff of dust rose from its pages.
- stench
a strong, unpleasant smell — the opposite of a faint whiff
文法句型
whiff + of + noun
2. a very small sign or amount of something that is not physical, such as a feeling
a very small sign or amount of something that is not physical, such as a feeling, quality, or idea, suggesting that it exists or is present.
Ananya detected a whiff of doubt when her friend agreed to the plan.
whiff of doubt / whiff of [emotion]
The report contained a whiff of criticism toward the company's new policy.
Diego sensed a whiff of excitement in the crowd just before the show began.
There was a whiff of sadness as Fatima said goodbye to the old house.
- hint
same general meaning; 'hint' is more common and less tied to smell-origin metaphors
- trace
suggests something remaining from an earlier presence rather than an incoming suggestion
- suggestion
slightly more deliberate; a 'suggestion of doubt' implies the doubt was noticeable
- flood
an overwhelming amount — opposite of a small sign
文法句型
whiff + of + noun
用法筆記
The word following 'whiff of' is usually an abstract noun expressing an emotion, attitude, or quality — never a physical object.
常見錯誤
3. in baseball, a swing of the bat that completely misses the ball, often resulting
in baseball, a swing of the bat that completely misses the ball, often resulting in the batter being out when it is the third strike.
With two outs and a runner on second, the batter ended the inning with a whiff on a fastball.
whiff on + [type of pitch] in a game situation
Fans groaned as the star player's third whiff stranded two runners and sent their team to defeat.
third whiff — count of misses in context
Lars recorded his tenth whiff of the season against a hard slider, earning a high-five from the catcher.
With two runners on base and the count full, the batter's whiff ended the inning and let the crowd down.
- hit
successfully making contact with the ball
文法句型
a whiff
third whiff
whiff — verb
- whiffpresent simple I / you / we / they
- whiffs3rd person singular
- whiffing-ing form
- whiffedpast simple
1. to give off an unpleasant or offensive smell that fills a space around it.
to give off an unpleasant or offensive smell that fills a space around it.
The old refrigerator whiffed of spoiled milk every time someone opened the door.
whiff of + [bad-smelling noun]
The locker room whiffed after practice, so the coach ordered everyone to shower.
Minh walked in and noticed the basement whiffed terribly from the damp floor.
The trash bags had been sitting in the sun all day and whiffed badly.
- smell
general and neutral; 'smell good' is natural, but 'whiff good' is not.
文法句型
whiff + of + noun
用法筆記
Unlike 'smell', which can describe good or bad odors, 'whiff' as a verb is nearly always used for unpleasant smells. 'The soup whiffed good' is incorrect — use 'smelled' instead.
常見錯誤
2. to swing a bat, club, or racket at a ball and fail to make any contact with it,
to swing a bat, club, or racket at a ball and fail to make any contact with it, or to attempt to hit someone and miss.
Chidi swung hard at the curveball but whiffed completely.
whiff (intransitive) — swing and miss
The golfer whiffed when he tried to hit the ball out of the long grass.
Kwame whiffed on his first attempt to hit the volleyball over the net.
Elena took three big swings and whiffed each time, looking disappointed.
- hit
to make contact with the ball
文法句型
whiff + at + noun
whiff + on + noun
whiff + ball
用法筆記
Common in baseball, golf, and tennis contexts. 'Whiff at' is more common than 'whiff on', but both are used.
3. in baseball, to pitch in a way that causes the batter to swing and miss three ti
in baseball, to pitch in a way that causes the batter to swing and miss three times, ending their turn at bat.
Down by two runs, the relief pitcher whiffed three batters in a row with his rising fastball.
whiff + [number] batters — game situation context
With the tying run at the plate, Lars whiffed the final batter on three pitches to end the inning.
whiff + [batter] on [number] pitches
The young pitcher walked two players but then whiffed the next three to escape trouble.
Amir entered the game with the bases loaded and whiffed the first batter he faced to escape the jam.
- strike out
the standard term for this action; 'whiff' is more informal and colorful
- fan
another informal baseball synonym for striking out a batter
- walk
to allow a batter to reach first base by throwing four balls; the opposite outcome for a pitcher
文法句型
whiff + a batter
4. to be unsuccessful at a task or attempt that you put effort into, especially whe
to be unsuccessful at a task or attempt that you put effort into, especially when the outcome is disappointing.
The team whiffed on their chance to win the championship after losing three straight games.
whiff on + [opportunity / chance]
Ananya whiffed her driving test for the second time and felt very discouraged.
The company whiffed at its attempt to launch a new product in a crowded market.
Amir whiffed the job interview because he had not prepared enough answers.
- succeed
to achieve what you tried to do
文法句型
whiff + on + noun
whiff + at + noun
用法筆記
Informal. Often used with 'on' or 'at' before the thing attempted. The object is typically an opportunity, attempt, test, or chance rather than a person.
常見錯誤
5. to take a quick breath in through your nose in order to smell something, usually
to take a quick breath in through your nose in order to smell something, usually to identify or check its scent.
Fatima whiffed the fresh coffee and smiled, happy to be awake.
whiff + [food/drink]
The detective whiffed the strange substance carefully before calling the lab.
Minh whiffed the ocean breeze and felt the tension leave his shoulders.
Elena whiffed the perfume sample on the paper strip and nodded approvingly.
- exhale
to breathe out
文法句型
whiff + noun
用法筆記
Less common than 'smell' or 'sniff'. 'Whiff' suggests a quick, brief inhale rather than a long or deep breath.