waft

1 of 3

verb

ˈwäft How to pronounce waft (audio) ˈwaft How to pronounce waft (audio)
wafted; wafting; wafts
Synonyms of waft

intransitive verb

: to move or go lightly on or as if on a buoyant medium
heavenly aromas wafted from the kitchen

transitive verb

: to cause to move or go lightly by or as if by the impulse of wind or waves
wafter noun

waft

2 of 3

noun (1)

1
: something (such as an odor) that is wafted : whiff
2
: a slight breeze : puff
3
: the act of waving
4
: a pennant or flag used to signal or to show wind direction

wafter

3 of 3

noun (2)

waft·​er
"+ə(r)
plural -s
1
: one that wafts
specifically : a revolving disk or fan for a blower
2
obsolete : a transport or passenger boat or its master
also : a warship serving as a convoy to such a boat

Synonyms of waft

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Verb

Noun (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of waft in a Sentence

Verb The smell of chicken soup wafted up to my bedroom. The sound of music wafted softly into the yard from our neighbor's house. A breeze wafted the scent of roses towards our table. Noun (1) wafts carrying the scent of spring flowers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The meats — some butchered on-site by Soto — sear over mesquite charcoal, with smoke wafting through the large patio and over the restaurant’s bright pink walls. — Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2026 Large white feathers wafted in the breeze—Paris, after all, drove the 19th-century ostrich feather craze that swept the fashion world. — R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
When the wind shifts, the smells from the warehouse waft miles away, even weeks after the fire was extinguished. — Celina Tebor, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026 Spritz it in the morning and prepare for subtle, spa-like wafts of forest floor throughout the day. — Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for waft

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, perhaps from past participle of Middle English (northern dialect) waffen, by-form of Middle English waven to wave

Noun (2)

Middle English waughter convoy, commander of a convoy, from (assumed) Middle English waughten to guard, convoy + Middle English -er

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun (1)

1607, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of waft was in the 15th century

Rhymes for waft

See All Rhymes for waft

Browse Nearby Words

waffle weave
waft
waftage
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Waft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/waft. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

waft

1 of 2 verb
ˈwäft How to pronounce waft (audio) ˈwaft How to pronounce waft (audio)
: to move or be moved lightly by or as if by the action of wind or waves

waft

2 of 2 noun
: a slight breeze : puff

More from Merriam-Webster on waft

Nglish: Translation of waft for Spanish Speakers

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