adjective
snarky
SNAH-kee
Snarky (adjective) means Sarcastic and mildly mocking, often out of irritation. Example: “She left a snarky comment under the celebrity's post.”
adjective
1
Sarcastic and mildly mocking, often out of irritation.
"In spite of its inherent banality, and because my editors let me relieve my dyspepsia by writing snarky captions, it is regularly one of the more popular destinations on the Globe and Mail website."
— , You may know me as a snarky caption writer whose work went viral (2011)
"She left a snarky comment under the celebrity's post."
How to use snarky
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCuttingly sarcastic, usually in a knowing or smug way.
When to use it
Informal; common in online and casual speech.
Common pairings
a snarky remark
snarky tone
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Word forms
- Comparative
- snarkier
- Superlative
- snarkiest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She left a _____ comment under the celebrity's post.
Etymology
From snark ("to snort") plus -y; the "sarcastic" meaning became widespread in the late 1990s.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for snarky
See all rhymes for snarky →Frequently asked questions
What does “snarky” mean?
The word “snarky” means sarcastic and mildly mocking, often out of irritation. In plain terms, cuttingly sarcastic, usually in a knowing or smug way.
How do you pronounce “snarky”?
“Snarky” is pronounced SNAH-kee (/ˈsnɑɹ.ki/ in IPA).
How do you use “snarky” in a sentence?
Here is “snarky” used in a sentence: “She left a snarky comment under the celebrity's post.”
What part of speech is “snarky”?
“Snarky” is an adjective.
Where does the word “snarky” come from?
The word “snarky” dates back to around 1990. From snark ("to snort") plus -y; the "sarcastic" meaning became widespread in the late 1990s.
