waft off
C1 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words
When a smell or smoke floats away from somewhere gently, like when you open a pot of soup.
Literal meaning: To float off — 'waft' already means to float gently, so 'off' adds directionality (away from the source).
Meanings
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."
Grammar: inseparable
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."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
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.
Commonly used with
smell scent smoke steam aroma fragrance
Forms
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
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Synonyms
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