waft

[waft, wahft]

verb (used with object)

1. to carry lightly and smoothly through the air or over water.

   The gentle breeze wafted the sound of music to our ears.

2. to send or convey lightly, as if in flight.

   The actress wafted kisses to her admirers in the audience.

3. Obsolete.,  to signal to, summon, or direct by waving.

verb (used without object)

1. to float or be carried, especially through the air.

   The sound wafted on the breeze. The music wafted across the lake.

noun

1. a sound, odor, etc., faintly perceived.

   a waft of perfume.

2. a wafting movement; light current or gust.

   a waft of air.

3. the act of wafting.

4. Nautical.,  Also a signal given by waving a flag.

waft

/ wɒft, wɑːft /

verb

1. to carry or be carried gently on or as if on the air or water

noun

1. the act or an instance of wafting

2. something, such as a scent, carried on the air

3. a wafting motion

4. Also called: waif. nautical (formerly) a signal flag hoisted furled to signify various messages depending on where it was flown

Other Word Forms

• wafter noun
• unwafted adjective
• waftage noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of waft¹

1535–45; back formation from late Middle English waughter armed escort vessel < Dutch or Low German wachter watchman; in some senses confused with waff

Word History and Origins

Origin of waft¹

C16 (in obsolete sense: to convey by ship): back formation from C15 wafter a convoy vessel, from Middle Dutch wachter guard, from wachten to guard; influenced by _waff

Example Sentences

But that did little to allay the concerns of Dermish and his neighbors, who continued to see flares light up the sky and to smell gas wafting over the community.

From Salon

For years, millions of dollars have poured into controlling dust that wafts off the exposed lake shoreline of the Salton Sea, hoping to solve a serious air pollution problem in the Coachella and Imperial valleys.

From Los Angeles Times

He wafted at two deliveries, then edged the third.

From BBC

Malodorous fumes wafting in the summer sun – an unsightly mess is plaguing American cities from coast to coast this summer.

From BBC

But Ms Weir said: "You get sometimes a big waft of air… it would make you gag."

From BBC

Related Words

• drift 
• float