snigger

1 of 2

verb

snig·​ger ˈsni-gər How to pronounce snigger (audio)
sniggered; sniggering ˈsni-g(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce snigger (audio)
sniggerer noun

snigger

2 of 2

noun

Examples of snigger in a Sentence

Verb we sniggered as the actor kept forgetting his lines Noun a love scene that unintentionally drew sniggers from the audience
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
Dour officials from the Department of Homeland Security who spotted his posts saw nothing to snigger about. The Economist, 8 June 2019 Then early this week the list came out, and sniggering ensued—on both sides of the Atlantic. The Economist, 3 Feb. 2018
Noun
The tribal leader sniggers; a trade with foreign infidels is inconceivable. Bing West, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2011 This offbeat comedy, which originally ran from 2007-10, thrives on less explicit social tensions: sniggers behind the back and raised eyebrows at the dinner table. The Economist, 26 Dec. 2019 Most football fans allowed themselves a brief snigger when Florentino Perez suggested that Real Madrid had tried to sign Lionel Messi many moons ago. SI.com, 9 Sep. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Verb

by alteration

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of snigger was circa 1706

Dictionary Entries Near snigger

Cite this Entry

“Snigger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snigger. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

snigger

verb
snig·​ger
ˈsnig-ər
sniggered; sniggering
-(ə-)riŋ
snigger noun

More from Merriam-Webster on snigger

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!