Sniffles is the annoying condition of having a slightly runny or stuffy nose, usually from a mild cold or allergies. When you have the sniffles, you find yourself constantly sniffing to keep your nose clear, making that distinctive sniff, sniff sound throughout the day.

The sniffles are that in-between state where you're not seriously sick, just uncomfortable. You might have the sniffles during allergy season when pollen fills the air, or at the start of a cold before it gets worse. A student with the sniffles might sit in class constantly reaching for tissues, sniffing every few minutes, but still feeling well enough to focus on their work.

Parents often say things like “It's just the sniffles” to mean someone isn't very sick, just a little under the weather. The word captures both the sound (that repeated sniffing) and the minor nature of the problem. While the sniffles can be irritating, especially when they won't go away, they usually aren't serious and clear up on their own after a few days.