The Sniff Test

B1 16+

Pronunciation: /ðə snɪf tɛst/

Definitions of the sniff test

noun a word that can be the subject or object of a verb, the object of a preposition, or the subject of a sentence

Example Sentences

A1 I always use the sniff test to check if food is still good to eat.

A2 My mom taught me how to do the sniff test to determine if milk has gone bad.

B1 Before buying any clothes online, I always do the sniff test to make sure they don't have a weird smell.

B2 As a chef, I rely on the sniff test to determine the freshness of ingredients before using them in my dishes.

C1 The experienced wine taster could tell the quality of a wine just by doing the sniff test.

C2 When evaluating perfumes, experts often use the sniff test to detect the different notes and layers of the fragrance.

Examples of the sniff test in a Sentence

formal Before purchasing any food product, it is important to do the sniff test to ensure its freshness.

informal I always give leftovers the sniff test before deciding whether to eat them or not.

slang Dude, just give it the sniff test before you decide if it's worth keeping.

figurative She always uses the sniff test when meeting new people to gauge their intentions.

Grammatical Forms of the sniff test

past tense

sniffed

plural

sniff tests

comparative

sniffier

superlative

sniffiest

present tense

sniff test

future tense

will sniff test

perfect tense

have sniff tested

continuous tense

is sniff testing

singular

the sniff test

positive degree

good sniff test

infinitive

to sniff test

gerund

sniff testing

participle

sniffed

Origin and Evolution of the sniff test

First Known Use: 1928 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The term 'the sniff test' originates from the action of sniffing or smelling something to determine its quality or freshness.
Evolution of the word: The phrase has evolved to be used more colloquially to describe a quick and informal way of assessing something's suitability or validity.