Pronunciation: [wˈaftɪŋ] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "wafting" is pronounced as /ˈwɑːftɪŋ/ and involves the letters "w," "a," "f," "t," "i," "n," "g". The "w" sound is formed by rounding the lips while blowing air out, followed by the "ah" sound and the "f" sound. The "t" sound comes next followed by the "ih" vowel sound and the ending "ng" sound. The word "wafting" means to move gently through the air, such as a fragrance or a balloon.
Wafting is a verb that refers to the gentle movement or transmission of something through the air, typically a fragrance or scent. It involves the graceful or delicate floating and dispersal of air currents carrying a particular aroma or odor. The word originates from the Middle English word "waften" and the Old Norse word "vafta," both meaning "to cause to float or wave."
The term commonly evokes the image of a pleasant and subtle smell carried by air, whether it is natural fragrance from a flower or scent from a diffuser or incense stick. Wafting often implies a soothing and ethereal quality, as the delicate and almost dance-like movements of air currents effectively transport and disperse the fragrance or scent in a gentle manner. Furthermore, wafting is frequently associated with enjoyable sensations, as it activates one's olfactory receptors, contributing to a pleasant and calming experience.
This term is frequently used to describe the way fragrances travel and permeate the environment, such as in perfumes or scented candles. It is also employed when describing the movement of smoke, such as that produced by ceremonial rituals or cooking. In addition, wafting can signify the act of waving something to create current or airflow, potentially to direct scent or smoke in a specific direction. Overall, wafting encapsulates the idea of the delicate and graceful transportation of scents or smells through the air, creating a pleasant and sensory experience for those who encounter them.
A bearing or floating, as on water or through air.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "wafting" is derived from the Old English verb "waftian", which means "to carry by waving or fluttering movements". This verb can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "wēbhtijaną", meaning "to move briskly or swing back and forth". In turn, "wēbhtijaną" stems from the Proto-Indo-European root "*webh-", which indicates "to weave" or "to move in a wavy manner". Over time, "wafting" has come to mean the action of gently carrying or conveying something through the air, typically with a light movement or breeze.
