Sniffle/ˈsnɪfl/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Minor Illness Use 'sniffle' to describe a light cold, suggesting it's not severe. Despite his sniffle, he attended all his classes. Pro Tip 2/3Not Contagious 'Sniffle' often implies a non-serious condition that is not highly infectious. No worries, it's just a sniffle, I'm not spreading germs. Pro Tip 3/3Empathy Signal Describing someone with a 'sniffle' can indicate care or concern for their well-being. She brought her colleague tea for his sniffle.