“Snuff” can mean different things depending on the context. Most commonly, it refers to a powdered tobacco that people sniff through the nose. It can also mean to extinguish something, like a candle or flame, or in some slang uses, it can refer to killing someone.
In everyday life, people usually hear “snuff” in the tobacco sense or in phrases like “snuff out a candle.” The meaning depends on how it is used in the sentence, so the surrounding words are important.
Meaning & Usage
As a noun, “snuff” often means finely ground tobacco. As a verb, it means to stop something, put something out, or end it. For example, you might snuff out a candle before going to bed.
Examples
He used snuff as an old-fashioned form of tobacco.
She snuffed out the match with her fingers.
The fire was quickly snuffed out by the rain.
What does “snuff” mean in tobacco?
In tobacco, “snuff” is a powdered form of tobacco that is inhaled or sniffed through the nose.
What does “snuff out” mean?
“Snuff out” means to put out a flame or to stop something completely.
Is “snuff” used in modern daily English?
Yes, but it is not very common in everyday speech. People are more likely to hear it in set phrases like “snuff out.”
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