leer

[ leer ]

/ lɪər /

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See synonyms for: leer / leered / leering on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

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

a lascivious or sly look.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of leer

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))

Other definitions for leer (2 of 2)

leer²

[ leer ]

/ lɪər /

adjective British Dialect.

having no burden or load.

faint for lack of food; hungry.

Origin of leer

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use leer in a sentence

As she walked through the camp streets, she turned away lurid leers with a troubled glance.
The Young Girls Escaping the ISIS War|Chandra Kellison|September 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Heim had met von Leers a few times, but it was not an acquaintance he had any interest in deepening.
Hunting Down Aribert Heim, Egypt’s Hidden Nazi|Nicholas Kulish, Souad Mekhennet|March 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Omar Amin was not an Egyptian but rather a convert to Islam once known as Johann von Leers.
Hunting Down Aribert Heim, Egypt’s Hidden Nazi|Nicholas Kulish, Souad Mekhennet|March 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There were squints, and leers, and some dull, ox-like stares from those who were too dull or too weary to converse.
Sister Carrie|Theodore Dreiser

But Rostafinski is certain Leers had A. punicea in mind, and that other early names are equally ill-applied.
The North American Slime-Moulds|Thomas H. (Thomas Huston) MacBride
I have seen the original letter of the bookseller Leers, where he describes the death of our philosopher.
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 (of 3)|Isaac D'Israeli
She grew to fear Davy's ugly leers more than the brutal words of the others.
The Daughter of Anderson Crow|George Barr McCutcheon
(He laughs again and leers with lacklustre eye) Thanks be to God we have it in the house, what, eh, do you follow me?
Ulysses|James Joyce

British Dictionary definitions for leer

leer

/ (lɪə) /

verb

(intr) to give an oblique, sneering, or suggestive look or grin

noun

such a look

Derived forms of leer

leering, adjective, nounleeringly, adverb

Word Origin for leer

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

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

leer

Origin of leer

Other definitions for leer (2 of 2)

Origin of leer

Words related to leer

How to use leer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for leer

Derived forms of leer

Word Origin for leer