Sniff Out

Pronunciation: /snɪf aʊt/

Definitions of sniff out

verb to detect or track down by or as if by using the sense of smell

Example Sentences

A1 The dog can sniff out the treat hidden under the table.

A2 The detective was able to sniff out the criminal's hiding place.

B1 The journalist was determined to sniff out the truth behind the corruption scandal.

B2 The expert was able to sniff out the counterfeit painting among the genuine ones.

C1 The researcher used advanced technology to sniff out the rare species in the forest.

C2 The detective was known for his ability to sniff out even the most well-hidden clues in a case.

Examples of sniff out in a Sentence

formal The detective was able to sniff out the culprit in no time.

informal I can always count on my dog to sniff out the best hiding spots during hide and seek.

slang I heard that the new employee can sniff out a good deal from a mile away.

figurative She has a keen ability to sniff out the truth in any situation.

Grammatical Forms of sniff out

• past tense: sniffed
• plural: sniff out
• comparative: sniffier
• superlative: sniffiest
• present tense: sniffs out
• future tense: will sniff out
• perfect tense: have sniffed out
• continuous tense: is sniffing out
• singular: sniff out
• positive degree: sniff out
• infinitive: to sniff out
• gerund: sniffing out
• participle: sniffed out

Origin and Evolution of sniff out

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The term 'sniff out' likely originated from the action of animals using their sense of smell to locate something, such as food or prey.

Evolution of the word: Over time, 'sniff out' has evolved to also mean to discover or detect something through careful investigation or observation, not just limited to the sense of smell.