sneak
sneek
Sneak (verb) means to move quietly and carefully so as not to be noticed. Example: “The cat sneaked across the lawn towards the unsuspecting birds.”
verb
1
To move quietly and carefully so as not to be noticed.
"The cat sneaked across the lawn towards the unsuspecting birds."
"He tried to sneak past the guard without making a sound."
"The kids snuck downstairs to peek at their presents."
2
To take something without permission, doing it quietly and secretly.
"He sneaked a chip from his brother's plate while nobody was looking."
"She snuck a cookie from the jar before dinner."
"He sneaked a look at the answer sheet."
adjective
1
Done secretly, or released ahead of the official date.
"The studio arranged a sneak preview of the film for critics."
How to use sneak
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMoving or acting secretly so nobody notices, often to avoid getting caught.
Common mistake
"Sneaked" and "snuck" are both accepted past tenses in modern English — "snuck" is more common in casual American speech.
Common pairings
sneak past
sneak a peek
sneak preview
sneak out
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- sneaks
- Past tense
- sneaked, snuck
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cat _____ across the lawn towards the unsuspecting birds.
Etymology
From Old English snīcan ("to creep"), related to the word "snake" — both describe low, quiet movement.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sneak
See all rhymes for sneak →Frequently asked questions
What does “sneak” mean?
The word “sneak” means to move quietly and carefully so as not to be noticed. In plain terms, moving or acting secretly so nobody notices, often to avoid getting caught.
How do you pronounce “sneak”?
“Sneak” is pronounced sneek (/sniːk/ in IPA).
How do you use “sneak” in a sentence?
Here is “sneak” used in a sentence: “He tried to sneak past the guard without making a sound.”
What is another word for “sneak”?
Words with a similar meaning to “sneak” include creep, hake, scunge, shug, skulk and slink.
What part of speech is “sneak”?
Depending on how it is used, “sneak” can be a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “sneak” come from?
The word “sneak” comes from Old English. From Old English snīcan ("to creep"), related to the word "snake" — both describe low, quiet movement.
Is “sneak” a common word?
“Sneak” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “sneak” have?
“Sneak” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to move quietly and carefully so as not to be noticed.
Is it sneaked or snuck?
Both are accepted past tenses of sneak. Sneaked is the traditional regular form, while snuck arose in American English and is now standard in North American usage. In formal British writing, sneaked remains the safer choice.
Is it "sneak peek" or "sneak peak"?
The correct spelling is sneak peek, because a peek is a quick look, while a peak is the top of a mountain. A sneak peek is an early look at something, such as a film or product, before its official release; "sneak peak" is a very common misspelling.
What is the difference between sneak and creep?
Both verbs describe moving quietly, but sneak emphasises deliberately avoiding being noticed, often because you are doing something you should not. Creep emphasises slow, cautious movement and can simply describe how something moves, without any suggestion of wrongdoing.
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