Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

snuff out

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.15 in modern English

Syllables: snuf-f out
IPA

14

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To extinguish (literally, especially by physically covering or rubbing); to extinguish (figuratively): to stop (a process), to kill (a process).

Transitive verb

verb

To kill a living being.

Slang; Transitive verb

verb

To die.

Intransitive verb; Slang

Example Sentences

"Near-synonym: smother"
"The risk of fire was an ever-present danger, and every night at bedtime they performed the ritual of checking that every candle and lantern had been snuffed out."
"He sighed, snuffed out his cigarette, and got back to work."
"He sighed, snuffed out his wish to walk right out the door, and got back to work."
"Elmander's lovely flick nearly set Taylor free inside the box but, this time, Boswinga reacted well to snuff out any real danger."
"2017 August 25, Aukkarapon Niyomyat & Panarat Thepgumpanat, "Thai junta seeks Yingluck's arrest as former PM skips court verdict", in reuters.com, Reuters The verdict against Yingluck is widely seen as having the potential to reignite tensions, though the junta has largely snuffed out open opposition."

Usage

Inflected Forms

snuffs out (present, singular) snuffing out (participle, present) snuffed out (participle, past) snuffed out (past)

Phrases

candle snuffer snuff film put out a fire

Frequently Paired Words

candle snuffer snuffee snuffer snuff film put out a fire blow out douse quench

Synonyms

smother rub out annihilate bag baptize bereave of life blight bring down bump off bury cack compromised to a permanent end

Questions

What does snuff out mean?: To extinguish (literally, especially by physically covering or rubbing); to extinguish (figuratively): to stop (a process), to kill (a process).

How to pronounce snuff out

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “snuff 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 “snuff out”.
Repeat and practice — Say “snuff out” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.