fleer

¹ American  

[fleer] / flɪər /

verb (used without object)

1. to grin or laugh coarsely or mockingly.

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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.

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fleer British  

/ flɪə /

verb

1. to grin or laugh at; scoff; sneer

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noun

1. a derisory glance or grin

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; flee, -er ¹

Example Sentences

He had discussed everything under heaven in his brilliant, erratic way, with a fleer of cynicism toward it all, but he had left himself out completely.

From O. Henry Memorial Award Prize Stories of 1920 by Various

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

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

Ah! would you fleer me! his lordship among revellers! oh! the blest prodigy! well, well, I give no promise, mark; but should a certain damsel lack a partner, adod.

From The Mirror of Taste, and Dramatic Censor Volume I, Number 1 by Carpenter, S. C. (Stephen Cullen)

And cannot I likewise, when time serves, and company is disposed to be kindly affected with it, smile and fleer as takingly?

From History of English Humour, Vol. 1 With an Introduction upon Ancient Humour by L'Estrange, Alfred Guy Kingan

She gave a light laugh that had in it so little mirth, was so little apposite to ridicule, that he did not feel it a fleer.

From The Storm Centre by Murfree, Mary Noailles