1 B2 neutral
Of a smell or aroma: to float gently through the air and reach someone.
"The smell of fresh coffee wafted over from the café across the street."
inseparable
waft over
B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
To float or drift gently toward someone or something, typically referring to a smell, sound, or sensation.
In plain English
When a nice (or bad) smell or sound floats through the air and reaches you.
What does "waft over" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
Of a sound or music: to travel gently through the air and become audible to someone.
"The sound of guitar music wafted over from the garden next door."
inseparable
3 C1 idiomatic neutral
Of a feeling or sensation: to come over someone gently and gradually.
"A sense of calm wafted over her as she stepped into the monastery garden."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To float over (to someone) — 'waft' means to move gently through air, so 'over' specifies direction toward a recipient.
Actually means
When a nice (or bad) smell or sound floats through the air and reaches you.
Usage tip
Used descriptively in both spoken and written language. The subject is typically a scent, sound, or feeling. Very common in narrative fiction and journalism for creating atmosphere.
Words that pair with "waft over"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
smell scent aroma music sound feeling
How to conjugate "waft over"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
waft over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
wafts over
he/she/it
Past simple
wafted over
yesterday
Past participle
wafted over
have + pp
-ing form
wafting over
continuous
Hear "waft over" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "waft over" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "waft over"
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Keep exploring
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