jeer

¹ American  

[jeer] / dʒɪər /

verb (used without object)

1. to speak or shout derisively; scoff or gibe rudely.

   Don't jeer unless you can do better.

   Synonyms:

   jest, sneer

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verb (used with object)

1. to shout derisively at; taunt.

   Synonyms:

   fleer, flout, ridicule, deride

2. to treat with scoffs or derision; mock.

   Synonyms:

   fleer, flout, ridicule, deride

3. to drive away by derisive shouts (followed by out of, off, etc.).

   They jeered the speaker off the stage.

noun

1. a jeering utterance; derisive or rude gibe.

jeer ² American  

[jeer] / dʒɪər /

noun

Nautical.

1. any of various combinations of tackles for raising or lowering heavy yards.

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jeer British  

/ dʒɪə /

verb

1. (often foll by at) to laugh or scoff (at a person or thing); mock

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noun

1. a remark or cry of derision; gibe; taunt

Related Words

See scoff ¹.

Other Word Forms

• jeerer noun
• jeering adjective
• jeeringly adverb
• unjeered adjective
• unjeering adjective

Etymology

Origin of jeer¹

1555–65; origin uncertain; compare Old English cēir clamor, akin to cēgan to call out

Origin of jeer¹

First recorded in 1485–95; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

As Wednesday's match against Brighton finished 1-1, there were a few jeers at full-time.

From BBC

So what if the device that turns his jeering bullies into pals seems a little pat?

From The Wall Street Journal

"I hope she has a refundable ticket," jeered a second diplomat.

From Barron's

The phrase carries a derisive jeer, a suggestion that anyone born into fame and wealth gets to glide through life.

From The Wall Street Journal

“They want us to go to batteries!” he jeered.

From Salon

Related Words

• hoot
• quip
• ridicule
• scoff
• sneer
• snipe
• taunt