noun

snipe

snyp

Snipe (noun) means a long-billed wading bird found in marshes and wetlands. Example: “The hunters spotted a snipe darting low over the reeds.”

noun

A long-billed wading bird found in marshes and wetlands.

"The hunters spotted a snipe darting low over the reeds."

verb

To shoot at someone from a hidden position.

"Enemy soldiers sniped at the convoy from the rooftops."

To make sly, critical remarks about someone, often from a safe distance.

"Rival commentators kept sniping at each other on social media."

To place a last-second bid in an online auction to beat other bidders.

"He used software to snipe the auction in its final seconds."

How to use snipe

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the wading bird, or the act of attacking (with words, bullets, or auction bids) from a hidden or safe position.

Common pairings

snipe at snipe an auction hunt snipe

Word forms

sniped past tense, sniped past tense, snipes plural, snipe plural, snipes plural, snipes plural, Snipes plural, snipes singular, snipes singular

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The hunters spotted a _____ darting low over the reeds.

Etymology

From Old Norse snípa (a type of bird). The verb sense came later, from British soldiers in India who called a skilled hunter of the elusive snipe bird a "sniper."

Origin: Old Norse

Rhymes for snipe

pipe wipe ripe gripe stipe swipe tripe recipe stripe Felipe bagpipe asswipe

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Frequently asked questions

What does “snipe” mean?

The word “snipe” means a long-billed wading bird found in marshes and wetlands. In plain terms, either the wading bird, or the act of attacking (with words, bullets, or auction bids) from a hidden or safe position.

How do you pronounce “snipe”?

“Snipe” is pronounced snyp (/snaɪp/ in IPA).

How do you use “snipe” in a sentence?

Here is “snipe” used in a sentence: “The hunters spotted a snipe darting low over the reeds.”

What part of speech is “snipe”?

Depending on how it is used, “snipe” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “snipe” come from?

The word “snipe” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse snípa (a type of bird). The verb sense came later, from British soldiers in India who called a skilled hunter of the elusive snipe bird a "sniper.".

How many meanings does “snipe” have?

“Snipe” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a long-billed wading bird found in marshes and wetlands.

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Vocabulary lists that include snipe:

Words with old Norse origins