adjective
snell
snehl
Snell (adjective) means Quick, sharp, or brisk — a mostly Scots and dialectal word. Example: “A snell wind cut across the moor.”
adjective
1
Quick, sharp, or brisk — a mostly Scots and dialectal word.
"A snell wind cut across the moor."
noun
1
In fishing, a short line of gut or monofilament connecting a hook to the main fishing line.
"He tied a fresh snell before casting again."
verb
1
To attach a fishhook to a line using a snell knot.
"She snelled the hook carefully before heading out on the boat."
How to use snell
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMostly known today as fishing tackle terminology — the short line tying a hook to a fishing line — though it also survives as a Scots dialect word for "sharp" or "brisk."
Common pairings
snell a hook
a snell knot
a snell wind
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Word forms
- Plural
- snells
- Third person singular
- snells
- Past tense
- snelled
- Comparative
- sneller
- Superlative
- snellest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A _____ wind cut across the moor.
Etymology
From Old English snell ("lively, quick"), related to German schnell ("fast") and Dutch snel.
Rhymes for snell
See all rhymes for snell →Frequently asked questions
What does “snell” mean?
The word “snell” means quick, sharp, or brisk — a mostly Scots and dialectal word. In plain terms, mostly known today as fishing tackle terminology — the short line tying a hook to a fishing line — though it also survives as a Scots dialect word for "sharp" or "brisk.".
How do you pronounce “snell”?
“Snell” is pronounced snehl (/snɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “snell” in a sentence?
Here is “snell” used in a sentence: “A snell wind cut across the moor.”
What part of speech is “snell”?
Depending on how it is used, “snell” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “snell” come from?
The word “snell” comes from Old English. From Old English snell ("lively, quick"), related to German schnell ("fast") and Dutch snel.
How many meanings does “snell” have?
“Snell” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: quick, sharp, or brisk — a mostly Scots and dialectal word.
