to wiffle

8.4

To make a soft swishing sound when something moves quickly through the air

verb
/ˈwɪfəl/

: susurrar

The leaves wiffle in the gentle breeze.

Examples

As the paper plane soared, it began to wiffle softly before landing.
You could hear the toy sword wiffle through the air during their play fight.
The shuttlecock would wiffle as it flew across the court.
Can you hear the sound of the ball wiffling through the air?
The shuttlecock would wiffle as it flew across the court.
You could hear the toy sword wiffle through the air during their play fight.
As the paper plane soared, it began to wiffle softly before landing.

Synonyms

to flutter

vsto wiffle

35 3.5

To move quickly and lightly back and forth, like wings or leaves

is a single quick pass that makes an airy swish rather than repeated flaps

to waft

vsto wiffle

28 5.1

To move gently through the air on a light breeze, like a smell or sound

is quicker and creates a distinct airy swishing sound

to whistle

vsto wiffle

27 3.3

To move quickly while making a high whistling sound

is lower and airier, giving a soft swish rather than a high sharp sound

to swish

vsto wiffle

20 4.1

To move with a soft hissing or rustling sound in a smooth sweep

is lighter and airier, stressing a soft swishing noise

to waft through the air

vsto wiffle

1 4.8

Move gently through the air like a smell or sound

involves a quicker, airier swish rather than quiet drifting

to wisp

vsto wiffle

1 5.1

To move gently through the air like a thin trail of smoke

is faster and produces a soft, quick swishing noise

to whiz

vsto wiffle

1 6.2

To move quickly through the air while making a soft buzzing sound

is softer and more airy, not buzzing or notably fast

to whizz along

vsto wiffle

1 5.1

To move very fast, often making a soft rushing sound like a car or train

emphasizes sound quality and airiness rather than outright speed

to flitter

vsto wiffle

1 6.9

To move quickly and lightly, like a small bird or moth

is smoother and makes a single airy swishing sound rather than hops

to sough

vsto wiffle

Archaic

1 9.9

A soft, low sighing sound made by wind or water

is sharper and faster, making a distinct airy swishing noise

to whiffle

vsto wiffle

7.3

To move or blow gently, making a soft rustling sound

is similar but stresses a quick airy swishing sound

to whizzle

vsto wiffle

9.5

To make a high, sharp sound while moving quickly through the air

is milder and airier, not as sharp or hissing

to whish

vsto wiffle

8.2

To move quickly while making a soft rushing sound

is more airy and delicate than a general rushing sound

to whush

vsto wiffle

8.6

To move quickly while making a soft rushing sound

focuses more on an airy swish than a broad whoosh

to swosh

vsto wiffle

9.6

To move with a soft hissing or whooshing sound

is gentler and more airy, not as sharp or hissing

to swail

vsto wiffle

9.9

To move gently because of wind, like tall grass

is quicker and produces a clear airy swishing tone rather than slow sway

Compounds

Wiffle Ball

2 3.2

A hollow plastic ball with holes used for a simple bat and ball game

How Loud

to roar

98 1.0

whoosh

20 4.2

to swish

20 4.1

to wiffle

8.4

rustle

12 4.4

Surface Forms

wiffle infinitive

wiffled past

wiffled past participle

wiffling present participle

wiffles third person singular

Morphology

wiffle = whiff (semi-transparent) = whiff + le

This is likely an expressive formation based on 'whiff', but the exact airy-swishing sense is not fully predictable from the parts.

Etymology

The word wiffle probably comes from the small word whiff, which means 'a slight breath' or 'a small puff'. So to wiffle is to make a soft, airy swish through the air, like a little puff passing by.