snark

¹ American  

[snahrk] / snɑrk /

noun

1. a mysterious, imaginary animal.

---

snark ² American  

[snahrk] / snɑrk /

verb (used without object)

1. to be critical in a rude or sarcastic way.

   to snark about the neighbors.

---

noun

1. rude or sarcastic criticism.

Etymology

Origin of snark¹

First recorded in 1876; coined by Lewis Carroll in his poem The Hunting of the Snark

Origin of snark²

First recorded in 1910–15; dialectal snark “to nag, find fault with”; apparently identical with snark, snork “to snort, snore,” probably from Dutch, Low German snorken “to snore”

Example Sentences

And enough with the social-media snark about dreading the thought of Spirit passengers suddenly showing up on your favorite non-discount airline.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

All of it umbrella-ed by a title that invites Morelli-style snark.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

I think it’s best to leave the snark to professionals.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2025

You conclude a note of optimism, which is evident in your tone throughout — I enjoyed your lighthearted snark.

From Salon • May 26, 2025

I can’t help the snark that comes out.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam