1 C1 neutral
Of a smell, smoke, or steam: to float gently away from its source and into the surrounding air.
"The scent of baked bread wafted off from the open kitchen window."
inseparable
waft off
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
To drift or float gently away from a source, typically used of smells, smoke, steam, or sounds.
In plain English
When a smell or smoke floats away from somewhere gently, like when you open a pot of soup.
What does "waft off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 neutral
Of a sound: to fade or drift away into the distance.
"The music wafted off into the evening air as the concert ended."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To float off — 'waft' already means to float gently, so 'off' adds directionality (away from the source).
Actually means
When a smell or smoke floats away from somewhere gently, like when you open a pot of soup.
Usage tip
Primarily used in descriptive or literary writing. The subject is almost always a scent, vapor, smoke, or sound. It conveys a gentle, unhurried dispersal. More common in British English.
Words that pair with "waft off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
smell scent smoke steam aroma fragrance
How to conjugate "waft off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
waft off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
wafts off
he/she/it
Past simple
wafted off
yesterday
Past participle
wafted off
have + pp
-ing form
wafting off
continuous
Hear "waft off" in the wild
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Other ways to say "waft off"
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