verb

leer

LEER

verb

To look at someone sideways in a way that suggests sexual desire or ill intent.

"The stranger leered at her from across the bar."

"He leered at the pastries in the shop window, practically drooling."

noun

An unpleasant sideways glance, often suggesting lust or malice.

"She caught his leer and quickly looked away."

How to Use Leer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo give someone a creepy, suggestive look, or that look itself.

Common pairings

leer at someone a lecherous leer

Word Forms

more leer comparative, leered past tense, leered past tense, leer plural, leered plural, leers plural, leers plural, leers singular, leer singular, leered singular, leerest singular, leeredst singular, leereth singular, leers singular, most leer superlative

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The stranger _____ at her from across the bar.

Etymology

Uncertain, but likely from an old word meaning "cheek" or "profile" — the sense shifted from a body part to the sly, sideways glance itself.

Rhymes for leer

beer deer peer veer seer heer queer steer sneer cheer sheer Speer

See all rhymes for leer →