Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

fleer

1 American  
[fleer] / flɪər /

verb (used without object)

  1. to grin or laugh coarsely or mockingly.


verb (used with object)

  1. to mock or deride.

noun

  1. a fleering look; a jeer or gibe.

fleer 2 American  
[flee-er] / ˈfli ər /

noun

  1. a person who flees.


fleer British  
/ flɪə /

verb

  1. to grin or laugh at; scoff; sneer

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a derisory glance or grin

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of fleer1

1350–1400; Middle English flerien (v.) < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian flire a grin

Origin of fleer2

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at flee, -er 1

Vocabulary lists containing fleer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Why didst thou fleer at our Friend, who feigned himself asleep? he said nothing, but how dost thou know what he containeth?

From A Century of English Essays An Anthology Ranging from Caxton to R. L. Stevenson & the Writers of Our Own Time by Ernest Rhys

He is rather inclined to fleer at any pretension to American club life of earlier date.

From Fifth Avenue by Arthur Bartlett Maurice

At any rate, that strutting chanticleer, with his two meagre wives and one wizened chicken, is a sly side fleer at the tragic aspect of the law of descent.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 05, No. 31, May, 1860 by Various

But there, you will, and your sisters will have something to fleer and jeer at then, and your father will purr in my face, and spit and swear behind my back.

From Mad A Story of Dust and Ashes by George Manville Fenn

Then out it speaks the king himsell,85 And aye as he steps in the fleer; Says, "I grant you your life, lady, Because you are of tender year."

From English and Scottish Ballads (volume 3 of 8) by Various

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training