How Do You Spell WHIFF?

Pronunciation: [wˈɪf] (IPA)

The word "whiff" is spelled with a "wh" at the beginning to indicate the sound made by a sudden rush of air. The "i" is pronounced as "ih" in the IPA transcription, and the "ff" represents a double consonant sound to emphasize the abruptness of the action. The word also has a few different meanings, including a slight odor, a brief gust of wind, or a missed attempt. Regardless of its definition, the spelling of "whiff" effectively captures its distinctive sound and meaning.

WHIFF Meaning and Definition

  1. Whiff is a noun that refers to a slight or gentle puff of air or odor, typically seen or smelled fleetingly. In terms of air, it is often associated with a light breeze or gentle gust. It may also describe a puff of smoke, vapour, or steam that is quickly dispersed. Furthermore, it can denote a faint scent or aroma that is detected momentarily and then vanishes without a trace.

    As a verb, whiff signifies the act of perceiving a faint smell or detecting a brief gust of air. Additionally, it can be used to describe the action of inhaling or drawing in air audibly, often as part of a sigh or expression of surprise. Whiff can also be utilized to denote a missed opportunity or a failed attempt at doing something. In this sense, it suggests an unsuccessful effort or an instance of falling short of expectations.

    Metaphorically, whiff can be used to indicate a hint or trace of something, such as an idea or a suspicion. It implies a subtle or vague sense of something being present without fully being known or understood. Finally, in a sporting context, whiff often refers to a missed swing or hit in baseball or golf, where the player's attempt to make contact with the ball is unsuccessful.

  2. • A sudden breath of air or fume, as from the mouth.
    • To throw out in slight puffs of air or fume; to emit with whiffs, as in smoking; to puff.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for WHIFF *

* 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.

Other Common Misspellings for WHIFF

Etymology of WHIFF

The word "whiff" originally derives from Middle Dutch "wiven", which means "to make a whistling sound" or "to make a hissing sound". This term then evolved into Middle English "whiffen", which meant "to breathe heavily" or "to puff". Eventually, in the 16th century, it transformed into the noun "whiff", referring to a gentle gust of air or a slight puff of breath. Over time, the word expanded its meaning to include the sense of detecting or perceiving an odor, often faintly or briefly.

Idioms with the word WHIFF

  • whiff of The idiom "whiff of" refers to a fleeting or slight indication or sign of something, often implying a hint or suggestion. It can also imply a trace or faint scent or smell.

Plural form of WHIFF is WHIFFS

Conjugate verb Whiff

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have whiffed
you would have whiffed
he/she/it would have whiffed
we would have whiffed
they would have whiffed
I would have whiff
you would have whiff
he/she/it would have whiff
we would have whiff
they would have whiff

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been whiffing
you would have been whiffing
he/she/it would have been whiffing
we would have been whiffing
they would have been whiffing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would whiff
you would whiff
he/she/it would whiff
we would whiff
they would whiff

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be whiffing
you would be whiffing
he/she/it would be whiffing
we would be whiffing
they would be whiffing

FUTURE

I will whiff
you will whiff
he/she/it will whiff
we will whiff
they will whiff

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be whiffing
you will be whiffing
he/she/it will be whiffing
we will be whiffing
they will be whiffing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have whiffed
you will have whiffed
he/she/it will have whiffed
we will have whiffed
they will have whiffed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been whiffing
you will have been whiffing
he/she/it will have been whiffing
we will have been whiffing
they will have been whiffing

IMPERATIVE

you whiff
we let´s whiff

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to whiff

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was whiffing
you were whiffing
he/she/it was whiffing
we were whiffing
they were whiffing

PAST PARTICIPLE

whiffed

PAST PERFECT

I had whiffed
you had whiffed
he/she/it had whiffed
we had whiffed
they had whiffed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been whiffing
you had been whiffing
he/she/it had been whiffing
we had been whiffing
they had been whiffing

PRESENT

I whiff
you whiff
he/she/it whiffs
we whiff
they whiff

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am whiffing
you are whiffing
he/she/it is whiffing
we are whiffing
they are whiffing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

whiffing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have whiffed
you have whiffed
he/she/it has whiffed
we have whiffed
they have whiffed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been whiffing
you have been whiffing
he/she/it has been whiffing
we have been whiffing
they have been whiffing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it whiff

SIMPLE PAST

I whiffed
you whiffed
he/she/it whiffed
we whiffed
they whiffed

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