sneer
gb/snˈɪɹ/ us/snˈɪɹ/
C1
English
~ 8000
gúnyolódik, gunyorog, gúnyos mosoly, gúnyos hang
VERB
C1
1
gúnyolódik
B2
gunyorog
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] sneers at [someone/something]
He sneered at their plan, calling it childish and unrealistic.
Gúnyolódott a tervükön, gyerekesnek és irreálisnak nevezve.
The critics sneered at the movie when it first came out.
A kritikusok gúnyosan írtak a filmről, amikor először bemutatták.
She sneered, "Is that really the best you can do?"
They used to sneer at anyone who didn’t go to an elite university.
Instead of helping, he just stood there and sneered.
Learner examples
The boy sneered at his classmate’s clothes.
A fiú gúnyolódott az osztálytársa ruháin.
Some people sneer at simple jobs, but they are important.
Vannak, akik gúnyolódnak az egyszerű munkákon, pedig azok fontosak.
She sneered and said that the food was terrible.
The rich man sneered at the old car.
Do not sneer at other people’s ideas.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "sneer" with "smile" or "laugh" and use it for any happy expression. A sneer always shows a negative feeling like contempt or dislike. Also, the common pattern is "sneer at someone/something"; saying *"sneer on"* or *"sneer about"* is unnatural.
Meaning
Smile or speak with clear contempt
Collocations
sneer at
|sneer down at
|sneer openly
|sneer contemptuously
|sneer that
|just sneer
Synonyms
mock (General word for making fun of someone, not always with the cold contempt a sneer suggests.)
|
scoff (Often focuses on dismissing an idea as silly, rather than on a facial expression.)
|
jeer (Usually louder, more public, and more aggressive than a sneer.)
Antonyms
respect (To show admiration or regard, the opposite attitude of the contempt shown in a sneer.)
|
praise (To express approval and admiration instead of mocking or belittling.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|social
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To smile or speak in a way that shows you think someone or something is not good or not important.
To smile, speak, or look at someone or something with a contemptuous, mocking, or scornful expression.
NOUN
C1
2
gúnyos hang
B2
Usage pattern:
a sneer on [someone]'s face
He watched them with a sneer on his face.
Gúnyos mosollyal az arcán nézte őket.
Her words were polite, but there was a clear sneer in her voice.
A szavai udvariasak voltak, de a hangjában egyértelmű gúny csengett.
A slight sneer curled his lip as he listened to the speech.
She answered his question with a cold sneer.
The comment brought a brief sneer to his usually warm expression.
Learner examples
There was a sneer on his face.
Gúnyos mosoly ült az arcán.
She spoke with a sneer when she said his name.
Gúnyos hangon mondta ki a nevét.
His smile slowly turned into a sneer.
I did not like the sneer in his voice.
He hid his sneer behind his hand.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "a sneer" when they only mean "a smile." A sneer always has a negative feeling (contempt, dislike, or disrespect). If the feeling is positive, use "smile" or "grin," not "sneer."
Meaning
Contemptuous facial expression or tone
Collocations
with a sneer
|a cold sneer
|a bitter sneer
|a sneer of contempt
|a sneer on his face
|curl into a sneer
Synonyms
smirk (A self-satisfied smile that may be annoying, but not always as openly hostile or contemptuous as a sneer.)
|
jeer (Usually refers to loud mocking words, while a sneer is often a quieter look or tone.)
Antonyms
smile (A generally positive or friendly facial expression, opposite to the negative feeling in a sneer.)
|
grin (A broad, usually happy smile instead of a contemptuous one.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|social
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A look on the face or a way of speaking that shows you think someone or something is not good or not important.
A contemptuous, mocking, or scornful expression on the face or in the voice.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sneer
IPA
GB/snˈɪɹ/
US/snˈɪɹ/
Syllables & stress
sneer (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (sneer)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sneer
- Plural: sneers
Verb
- Base: sneer
- 3rd Person Singular: sneers
- Present Participle: sneering
- Past: sneered
Word family
Forms
sneers
noun
sneering
verb
sneered
verb
Related words
sneeringly
adverb
Expressions
give a sneer
1/ɡˈɪv ə snˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
Make a brief sneering expression
To briefly make a sneer, showing contempt or dislike for someone or something.
Examples
- He gave a sneer and walked away.
- She just gave a sneer when I asked for help.
sneer at
1/snˈɪɹ ˈæt/
phrasal verb
Show open contempt for something
To clearly show that you think someone or something is not good or not important, often with your face or voice.
Examples
- Many experts used to sneer at online degrees.
- He sneers at anyone who doesn’t share his political views.
with a sneer
1/wˈɪθ ə snˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
In a contemptuous manner
In a way that clearly shows contempt or dislike on the face or in the voice.
Examples
- She said his name with a sneer.
- He watched the performance with a sneer, clearly unimpressed.