snore

American  

[snawr, snohr] / snɔr, snoʊr /

verb (used without object)

snored, snoring

1. to breathe during sleep with hoarse or harsh sounds caused by the vibrating of the soft palate.

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verb (used with object)

snored, snoring

1. to pass (time) in snoring or sleeping (usually followed by away orout ).

   to snore the day away.

noun

1. the act, instance, or sound of snoring.

2. Slang. a person or thing that is dull and boring.

   Eighth grade is such a snore.

snore British  

/ snɔː /

verb

1. (intr) to breathe through the mouth and nose while asleep with snorting sounds caused by vibrations of the soft palate

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noun

1. the act or sound of snoring

Other Word Forms

• outsnore
  verb (used with object)
• snorer
  noun
• unsnoring
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of snore

1300–50; Middle English snoren (v.); cognate with Middle Low German, Middle Dutch snorren

Explanation

If you snore, you breathe loudly through your nose while you're asleep. If your roommate snores, you may need to get yourself some ear plugs so that you can sleep. Most of us snore occasionally when we're congested, but some people snore every time they sleep. This kind of snore can be a serious health problem, since air isn't flowing easily in and out as the snorer breathes. In some cases, snoring is connected to sleep apnea, which means a sleeper actually stops breathing several times throughout the night. Colloquially, a snore is also a dull, boring thing: "The movie was a total snore."

Example Sentences

They might as well name their college the University of Snore.

From The Guardian • Apr. 7, 2016

SnoreLab: This app is meant to allow you to record, measure and track your snoring and know your "Snore Score."

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2016

That's from the publisher's official description of this children's book, which also features characters named "Senator Weary" and "Al Snore."

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2016

Among others, Snore Stop-brand products had 5 percent of votes and third place went to SleepRight products, at 3 percent.

From US News • Jun. 16, 2015

Interpret the Snore, and you have the psychic history of the ascent of man from Caliban to Shakespeare!

From Hermione's Group of Thinkers by Marquis, Don

Related Words

• wheeze