verb
snicker
SNIHK-uh
Snicker (verb) means to laugh quietly in a stifled or half-suppressed way, often at someone else's expense. Example: “The students snickered when the teacher tripped over the cord.”
verb
1
To laugh quietly in a stifled or half-suppressed way, often at someone else's expense.
"The students snickered when the teacher tripped over the cord."
noun
1
A stifled, half-suppressed laugh.
"A snicker went around the room."
How to use snicker
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA quiet, sometimes mocking laugh you try to hold back.
UK vs US
American English favours "snicker"; British English more often uses "snigger."
Common pairings
snicker at
a nervous snicker
snicker behind someone's back
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Word forms
- Plural
- snickers
- Third person singular
- snickers
- Past tense
- snickered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The students _____ when the teacher tripped over the cord.
Etymology
The American form of British "snigger," likely imitative of the sound of a suppressed laugh.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for snicker
See all rhymes for snicker →Frequently asked questions
What does “snicker” mean?
The word “snicker” means to laugh quietly in a stifled or half-suppressed way, often at someone else's expense. In plain terms, a quiet, sometimes mocking laugh you try to hold back.
How do you pronounce “snicker”?
“Snicker” is pronounced SNIHK-uh (/ˈsnɪkɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “snicker” in a sentence?
Here is “snicker” used in a sentence: “The students snickered when the teacher tripped over the cord.”
What part of speech is “snicker”?
Depending on how it is used, “snicker” can be a verb and a noun.
How many meanings does “snicker” have?
“Snicker” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to laugh quietly in a stifled or half-suppressed way, often at someone else's expense.
