Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

sniff out

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.44 in modern English

Syllables: snif-f out
IPA

14

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To find (something) by using the sense of smell.

Transitive verb

verb

To detect (something hidden or invisible).

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"Because they have far more powerful noses than humans, dogs are ideal to sniff out drugs."
"Near-synonyms: ferret out, weasel out"
"Luisa Rey plays the ditzy reporter on her best behavior to assure Fay Li she poses no threat. Only then might she be given a free enough rein to sniff out Sixsmith’s fellow dissidents."

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

sniffs out (present, singular) sniffing out (participle, present) sniffed out (participle, past) sniffed out (past)

Phrases

scent hound suss out

Frequently Paired Words

scent hound suss out

Synonyms

ferret out weasel out scent out smell out nose out

Questions

What does sniff out mean?: To find (something) by using the sense of smell.

How to pronounce sniff out

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “sniff out”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “sniff out”.
Repeat and practice — Say “sniff out” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.