sneeze

1 of 2

verb

ˈsnēz 

sneezed; sneezing

intransitive verb

: to make a sudden violent spasmodic audible expiration of breath through the nose and mouth especially as a reflex act

sneezer noun

sneeze

2 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of sneezing

Phrases

sneeze at

informal : to make light of

—always used in negative statements to indicate something that is important or deserves attention

… a red ribbon for second place is not to be sneezed at or scorned.

—Richard Peck

Perquisites and severance pay are nothing to sneeze at [=are significant]

Examples of sneeze in a Sentence

Verb

She was constantly sneezing and coughing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

But your defense strategy doesn’t have to stop there, especially when your symptoms (hello, sneezing, hacking, and a nonstop runny nose) are making life miserable. —Sara Coughlin, SELF, 15 Apr. 2025

That process leads to common allergy symptoms: sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, itchy, watery eyes, a cough. —Breanne Hayes Haney, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025

Noun

The disease is spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. —Fernanda Galan, Sacramento Bee, 16 Jan. 2025

Most cases have been relatively mild, with symptoms including pinkeye, coughs or sneezes. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English snesen, alteration of fnesen, from Old English fnēosan; akin to Middle High German pfnūsen to snort, sneeze, Greek pnein to breathe

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1646, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sneeze

• nothing to sneeze at
• sneeze at

Rhymes for sneeze

• bees
• bes
• breeze
• cheese
• crees
• crise
• deas
• dees
• ease
• fees
• fleas
• flees

Kids Definition

sneeze

verb

ˈsnēz

sneezed; sneezing

: to force the breath out through the nose or mouth in a sudden violent noisy action

sneeze noun

sneezer noun

Medical Definition

sneeze

1 of 2 intransitive verb

ˈsnēz 

sneezed; sneezing

: to make a sudden violent spasmodic audible expiration of breath through the nose and mouth especially as a reflex act following irritation of the nasal mucous membrane

sneeze

2 of 2 noun

: an act or instance of sneezing