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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

  • fleeringly adverb

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

"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," Vocabulary from Act 1

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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.

Well, there’s been a board doon on the fleer for ages o’ man, and to-day it was taken out to be scrubbit, and what think ye was reveeled?”

From From Squire to Squatter A Tale of the Old Land and the New by Stables, Gordon

By a mile of engirding sea the prospect of escape looked so vain that one joined assent with a fleer.

From The Unknown Sea by Housman, Clemence

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

I have heard One of your Council fleer and jeer at him.

From Queen Mary and Harold by Tennyson, Alfred Tennyson, Baron

"Durn my boots ef I didn't furgit the password!" cried Nick Peters with his little falsetto laugh, that seemed keyed for a fleer, although it was most graciously modulated now.

From The Mystery of Witch-Face Mountain and Other Stories by Murfree, Mary Noailles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.