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Glite Dictionary
snuffling

snuffling

6.4
Making soft repeated sniffing sounds because of a blocked or runny nose
  • adjective
  • /ˈsnʌflɪŋ/
translation icon : resoplante
  • The snuffling child couldn't stop sniffing during the movie.

Examples

  • A snuffling sound came from under the puppy's blanket as it searched for food.

  • Even after her cold improved, she was still slightly snuffling in the mornings.

  • The snuffling child kept reaching for tissues during the movie.

  • I heard a snuffling sound coming from the other room.

  • The dog lay on the floor, snuffling as it slept due to its cold.

  • She sat next to him, snuffling softly because she was feeling unwell.

  • The baby was snuffling incessantly after catching a little cold.

Synonyms

sniffly
vssnuffling
1 4.6

Having a runny nose and often making soft nose sounds because of a cold or allergy

describes repeated sniffing sounds as an active behaviour rather than tendency
snot-nosed
vssnuffling
  • Informal
1 8.6

Having a runny nose with snot on the face

focuses on repeated sniffing sounds not on dirtiness or insult
snuffly
vssnuffling
6.1

Having a blocked or runny nose and making soft sniffing sounds

focuses on making repeated sniffing sounds rather than the nasal condition

Antonyms

silent
257 1.0

Not making any sound

Surface Forms

snuffling positive

Morphology

snuffling = snuffle (transparent) = snuffle + ing

The adjective is a direct present-participle/agentive form from 'snuffle' and the meaning is straightforward for learners.

Etymology

Snuffling comes from the simple sound word snuffle, related to sniff ('to breathe in through the nose'), and it copies the soft, repeated breathing we make when our nose is blocked. So a snuffling person or animal keeps making small sniffing sounds.