First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1snivel
intransitive verb sniv·el \ˈsni-vəl\
: to complain or cry in an annoying way
sniv·eled or sniv·elledsniv·el·ing or sniv·el·ling\ˈsni-və-liŋ, ˈsniv-liŋ\
Full Definition of SNIVEL
1
: to run at the nose
2
: to snuff mucus up the nose audibly : snuffle
3
: to cry or whine with snuffling
4
: to speak or act in a whining, sniffling, tearful, or weakly emotional manner
— sniv·el·er \ˈsni-və-lər, ˈsniv-lər\ noun
See snivel defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of SNIVEL
Middle English, from Old English *snyflan; akin to Dutch snuffelen to snuffle, snuffen to sniff
2snivel
noun
Learn More About SNIVEL
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up snivel? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).