snicker

1 of 2

verb

snick·​er ˈsni-kər How to pronounce snicker (audio)
snickered; snickering ˈsni-k(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce snicker (audio)

intransitive verb

: to laugh in a covert or partly suppressed manner : titter
snickerer noun
snickery adjective

snicker

2 of 2

noun

: an act or sound of snickering

Examples of snicker in a Sentence

Verb he snickered at the puzzled look on her face Noun a snicker of derision when we heard their offer on the house
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Miraculously, solutions that elude me behind a desk become crystal clear while cruising down the street avoiding eye contact with snickering neighbors.... Unlike jogging, which had become just another discipline to maintain, rollerblading has rekindled a sense of childlike wonder. Curt Steinhorst, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 Her poverty has been found out, and everyone is snickering. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 2 Sep. 2024
Noun
Could anyone utter these lofty words today without courting a chorus of snickers, a social-media immolation? George Packer, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024 Sugar might have caught its share of snickers when its big plot twist was revealed, but Colin Farrell is a huge movie star who carried that show, and that should be enough to give him the edge. Joe Reid, Vulture, 13 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for snicker 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Verb

1694, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snicker was in 1694

Dictionary Entries Near snicker

Cite this Entry

“Snicker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snicker. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

snicker

1 of 2 verb
snick·​er ˈsnik-ər How to pronounce snicker (audio)
snickered; snickering -(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce snicker (audio)
: to give a small and often mean or sly laugh

snicker

2 of 2 noun
: an act or sound of snickering

More from Merriam-Webster on snicker

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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