whiff
Meaning
a slight smell, carried on a current of air
a slight sign or hint of something
to give out or carry a slight smell
(in sports) to miss hitting the ball completely when trying to hit it
Usage
A whiff of fresh coffee greeted her as she entered the kitchen.
His speech didn't contain even a whiff of an apology.
The batter swung hard but only managed to whiff at the pitch.
Etymology
The word 'whiff' first appeared in English in the late 16th century, originally meaning a slight puff or gust of wind or air. Its formation is imitative, meant to evoke the sound of a light, quick exhalation. This core sense of a small, fleeting movement of air naturally extended to describe a faint, brief smell carried by such a puff. Over time, its meaning broadened metaphorically to include any slight trace or hint of an intangible quality, and in sports, it came to describe a missed swing, where the club or bat moves through the air without making contact.
Analysis
This word is considered a simplex form. It is an imitative or onomatopoeic word, likely formed to imitate the sound of a light puff of air or the act of sniffing.