Sniffles Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/ˈsnɪfəlz/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A sniffle is a sudden, brief, and non-serious cold, typically accompanied by mild congestion, runny nose, and sneezing.

Examples

1. “After a long flight, I was feeling a little sniffly.”

2. “The kids were feeling under the weather with sniffles and coughs.”

Synonyms

1. Cold

2. Flu

Antonyms

1. Fever

2. Chills

Etymology

The word “sniffle” is believed to have originated from the Middle English word “sniflen,” meaning “to breathe or snuff through the nose,” likely due to the characteristic nasal congestion associated with the condition.

Usage Notes

When referring to a sniffle, it’s common to use the phrase “coming down with a sniffle” to describe the onset of symptoms, while “sniffling” itself can be used as a verb to describe the act of sneezing or blowing one’s nose.

Cultural References

Sniffles have been featured in various forms of media, such as children’s stories like “Sniffles and the Snail” and TV shows like “Peppa Pig,” where characters often catch the sniffles due to their playful and inquisitive nature.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

1. “Getting a sniffle” – to catch a cold or become sick

2. “Sniffle up” – to clear one’s nose by blowing

Related Words or Phrases

1. Congestion

2. Runny nose

Collocations

1. “I’m feeling a bit sniffle-y” – to describe feeling a little under the weather

2. “After a cold, I got a sniffle for a week” – to describe the lingering symptoms of a cold

Frequency of Use

According to the Oxford English Corpus, the word “sniffle” is used approximately 3.4 times per million words, making it a relatively common term in everyday conversation.

Common Misspellings

1. Sniffling (incorrectly adding the suffix “-ing” to the end)

2. Snifil (missing the double “f” or using an incorrect spelling)