leer

¹

[ leer ]

verb (used without object)

1. to look with a sideways or oblique glance, especially suggestive of lascivious interest or sly and malicious intent:

   Go away! I can't concentrate with you leering at me.

noun

1. a lascivious or sly look.

leer

²

[ leer ]

adjective

, British Dialect.

1. having no burden or load.
2. faint for lack of food; hungry.

leer

/ lɪə /

verb

1. intr to give an oblique, sneering, or suggestive look or grin

noun

1. such a look

Derived Forms

• ˈleeringly, adverb
• ˈleering, adjectivenoun

Word History and Origins

Origin of leer¹

First recorded in 1520–30; perhaps verb use of obsolete noun leer “cheek” ( Middle English leor, Old English hlēor; cognate with Old Norse hlȳr (plural))

Origin of leer²

before 1050; Middle English lere, Old English gelǣr; cognate with German leer empty

Word History and Origins

Origin of leer¹

C16: perhaps verbal use of obsolete leer cheek, from Old English hlēor

Example Sentences

In addition to parading on the streets as an effigy whose destruction delighted audiences, he leered from political cartoons and prints.

From Washington Post

Seven women have gone public with descriptions of creepy behavior — unwanted touching, leering looks, sexually loaded commentary — for which the governor was forced to apologize, although he maintains it was “unintentional.”

From Washington Post

He told me he’d become painfully aware of “his leer” on Zoom meetings, so he did his best to smile and not talk with his mouth full — awkward on any date, but even more off-putting over video chat.

From Washington Post

He is like you would imagine a young hipster Clark Gable would be and he's got a leer on him that won't quit.

From The Daily Beast

"It is magnificent to be such a willing—" added Schliemann, sidling up to him with a dreadful leer on his face.

From Project Gutenberg

The captain closed one eye, and a leer of subtle cunning overspread his face.

From Project Gutenberg

Yezid grinned more savagely than ever; and Mary closed her eyes that she might not see his leer.

From Project Gutenberg

And by the door stood Billy, watching them all like an evil spirit, with a leer of saturnine malice on his evil face.

From Project Gutenberg

"A girl with that beautiful face and form need never starve," returned the old miser, with a significant leer.

From Project Gutenberg