SNEER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sneer mean? 

• SNEER (noun)
  The noun SNEER has 2 senses:

1. a facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls

2. a contemptuous or scornful remark

  Familiarity information: SNEER used as a noun is rare.

• SNEER (verb)
  The verb SNEER has 2 senses:

1. express through a scornful smile

2. smile contemptuously

  Familiarity information: SNEER used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SNEER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

leer; sneer

Hypernyms ("sneer" is a kind of...):

contempt; scorn (open disrespect for a person or thing)

Derivation:

sneer (smile contemptuously)

sneer (express through a scornful smile)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A contemptuous or scornful remark

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("sneer" is a kind of...):

contempt; scorn (open disrespect for a person or thing)

Derivation:

sneer (smile contemptuously)

sneer (express through a scornful smile)

• SNEER (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they sneer    ... he / she / it sneers   
Past simple: sneered   
Past participle: sneered   
-ing form: sneering   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Express through a scornful smile

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Context example:

she sneered her contempt

Hypernyms (to "sneer" is one way to...):

evince; express; show (give expression to)

Verb group:

sneer (smile contemptuously)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

sneer (a facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls)

sneer (a contemptuous or scornful remark)

sneerer (a person who expresses contempt by remarks or facial expression)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Smile contemptuously

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Context example:

she sneered at her little sister's efforts to play the song on the piano

Hypernyms (to "sneer" is one way to...):

smile (change one's facial expression by spreading the lips, often to signal pleasure)

Verb group:

sneer (express through a scornful smile)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

sneer (a facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls)

sneer (a contemptuous or scornful remark)

sneerer (a person who expresses contempt by remarks or facial expression)

 Context examples 

“So you’re afraid, eh?” he sneered.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

How long this horrible thing lasted I know not; but it seemed that a long time must have passed before he took his foul, awful, sneering mouth away.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

This last with a sneering ring of triumph in it.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

“I beg your pardon,” replied Miss Bingley, turning away with a sneer.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

"He don't look it," he sneered; but the sneer was without passion.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

“Oh,” he sneered, “that's it! Take me in straight or I'll break your arm.”

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)

“So I think,” quoth the other with a sneer.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"For example?" asked Summerlee, with a sneer; but Lord John hastened to change the conversation.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"Certainly," he replied, with a sneer—"I came into Devonshire with no other view."

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

Yes, yes, pray pass me, added her husband, with a sort of sneering consciousness; I have nothing to say that can entertain Miss Woodhouse, or any other young lady.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)