waft

Drift through air

Waft describes gentle movement through air or water—floating, drifting, carrying.

A scent wafts from the kitchen; music wafts through an open window.

The word suggests something light enough to be carried by currents: The smell of baking bread wafted up the stairs.

As a noun, a waft is a slight movement of air or a faint trace of scent carried on it.

drift

float

Buoyant object or vehicle

glideMove with effortless continuity
hoverRemain suspended midair
sailShip's wind-catching fabric

meander · stream · travel · carry · disperse · spread · linger · dissipate · permeate · diffuse

scent

aroma

Pleasant distinctive smell

fragrancePleasing olfactory quality
perfumeFragrant liquid for wearing
odorPerceived atmospheric emission

whiff · bouquet · essence · smell · incense · redolence · musk · jasmine · sandalwood · lavender

breeze

zephyr

Mild, gentle breeze

gustBrief wind surge
draftPreliminary version of text
puffBrief burst of air

breath · airflow · current · billow · flutter · blow · ventilation · eddy · stream · whisper

lightness

feather

Bird's body covering

dandelionYellow flower, white puffball
gossamerFilmy, delicate material
wispyThin and insubstantial

ethereal · delicate · airy · gauze · chiffon · filmy · diaphanous · silken · downy · flimsy

Categories

risingrise, arise, ascend, climb, go up
windswind, breeze, gust, gusts, gale
Floatingfloat, floating, afloat, hover, hovering
fluid movementsflow, glide, sway, ripple, undulate
gentle motionscaress, pat, stroke, nudge, tap
smellsmell, scent, odor, reek, aroma

Opposites

movement direction and force

Rapid downward descent

plunge · sink · drop · dive · fall

manner of locomotion

Walk slowly, heavily

plod · stomp · lumber · slog · tramp

scent/sensory dispersal

Reach final terms

dissipate · contain · suppress · stifle · trap

Family

wafting, wafts, wafted

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G