Dictionary
1sneak
verb \ˈsnēk\
: to move quietly and secretly in order to avoid being noticed
: to take or bring (something) secretly and often quickly
: to tell someone (such as a parent or teacher) about something wrong that someone else has done
sneaked \ˈsnēkt\ or snuck \ˈsnək\ sneak·ing
Full Definition of SNEAK
intransitive verb
1
: to go stealthily or furtively : slink <snuck out early>
2
: to act in or as if in a furtive manner
3
: to carry the football on a quarterback sneak
transitive verb
: to put, bring, or take in a furtive or artful manner <sneak a smoke>
— sneak up on
: to approach or act on stealthily
See sneak defined for English-language learners
See sneak defined for kids
Usage Discussion of SNEAK
From its earliest appearance in print in the late 19th century as a dialectal and probably uneducated form, the past and past participle snuck has risen to the status of standard and to approximate equality with sneaked. It is most common in the United States and Canada but has also been spotted in British and Australian English.
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Origin of SNEAK
akin to Old English snīcan to sneak along, Old Norse snīkja
First Known Use: 1594
Related to SNEAK
Synonym Discussion of SNEAK
lurk, skulk, slink, sneak mean to behave so as to escape attention. lurk implies a lying in wait in a place of concealment and often suggests an evil intent <suspicious men lurking in alleyways>. skulk suggests more strongly cowardice or fear or sinister intent <something skulking in the shadows>. slink implies moving stealthily often merely to escape attention <slunk around the corner>. sneak may add an implication of entering or leaving a place or evading a difficulty by furtive or underhanded methods <sneaked out early>.
2sneak
noun
: a person who acts in a secret and usually dishonest way
Full Definition of SNEAK
1
: a person who acts in a stealthy, furtive, or shifty manner
2
a : a stealthy or furtive move b : an unobserved departure or escape
3
: sneaker 2 —usually used in plural
See sneak defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SNEAK
circa 1643
3sneak
adjective
: done while others are not paying attention
Full Definition of SNEAK
1
: carried on secretly : clandestine
2
: occurring without warning : surprise <a sneak attack>
See sneak defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SNEAK
circa 1859
Related to SNEAK
SNEAK Defined for Kids
1sneak
verb \ˈsnēk\
sneaked \ˈsnēkt\ or snuck \ˈsnək\sneak·ing
Definition of SNEAK for Kids
: to move, act, bring, put, or take in a sly or secret way <Ina-Rae lifted her desktop to sneak peeks at her valentines … — Richard Peck, A Year Down Yonder>
2sneak
noun
Definition of SNEAK for Kids
: a person who acts in a sly or secret way
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