SNEEZE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sneeze mean? 

• SNEEZE (noun)
  The noun SNEEZE has 1 sense:

1. a symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose

  Familiarity information: SNEEZE used as a noun is very rare.

• SNEEZE (verb)
  The verb SNEEZE has 1 sense:

1. exhale spasmodically, as when an irritant entered one's nose

  Familiarity information: SNEEZE used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SNEEZE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

sneeze; sneezing; sternutation

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

inborn reflex; innate reflex; instinctive reflex; physiological reaction; reflex; reflex action; reflex response; unconditioned reflex (an automatic instinctive unlearned reaction to a stimulus)

symptom ((medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease)

Derivation:

sneeze (exhale spasmodically, as when an irritant entered one's nose)

sneezy (inclined to sneeze)

• SNEEZE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they sneeze    ... he / she / it sneezes   
Past simple: sneezed   
Past participle: sneezed   
-ing form: sneezing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Exhale spasmodically, as when an irritant entered one's nose

Classified under:

Verbs of grooming, dressing and bodily care

Context example:

Pepper makes me sneeze

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

act involuntarily; act reflexively (act in an uncontrolled manner)

"Sneeze" entails doing...:

breathe out; exhale; expire (expel air)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

sneeze (a symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose)

sneezer (a person who sneezes)

sneezing (a symptom consisting of the involuntary expulsion of air from the nose)

 Context examples 

Sneeze or cough into your elbow, not your hands.

(Germs and Hygiene, NIH)

You can catch it from a person who has the infection and coughs or sneezes.

(Diphtheria, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

You can get it when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

(Fifth Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Signs and symptoms include fever, coughing, sneezing, and sore throat.

(Acute Nasopharyngitis, NCI Thesaurus)

"Halting sneezing via blocking the nostrils and mouth is a dangerous manoeuvre, and should be avoided," caution the authors.

(Blocking A Sneeze, Man Ruptures Throat, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Coronaviruses probably spread through the air by coughing or sneezing, or by close personal contact.

(Coronavirus Infections, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Sneezing, sore throat, a stuffy nose, coughing — everyone knows the symptoms of the common cold.

(Cold and Cough Medicines, Food and Drug Administration)

Sneezing, sore throat, a stuffy nose, coughing - everyone knows the symptoms of the common cold.

(Common Cold, NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

It is functionally collapsed at rest, with slight negative pressure present in the middle ear, and opens during swallowing, sneezing, and yawning.

(Eustachian Tube, NCI Thesaurus)

She sneezed continually, and her stub of a tail was doing its best toward lashing about by giving quick, violent jerks.

(White Fang, by Jack London)