sneeze
Americanverb (used without object)
-
sneezes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
sneezed,
past participle, past
-
sneezing
present participle
noun
-
sneezes
plural
verb phrase
verb
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
sneezesimple
-
sneezessimple
-
have sneezedperfect
-
has sneezedperfect
-
am sneezingprogressive
-
are sneezingprogressive
-
is sneezingprogressive
-
have been sneezingperfect progressive
-
has been sneezingperfect progressive
Past
-
sneezedsimple
-
had sneezedperfect
-
was sneezingprogressive
-
were sneezingprogressive
-
had been sneezingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of sneeze
1485–95; earlier snese; replacing Middle English fnese, Old English fnēosan; cognate with Dutch fniezen, Old Norse fnȳsa
Explanation
When you sneeze, you blow air forcefully (and involuntarily) out of your nose and mouth, possibly while making a sound that might be spelled "achoo!" Allergies, pepper, and dust are all famous for making people sneeze. Behind every sneeze is some kind of irritant, a foreign substance that bothers the mucous membranes inside your nose. Pollen, cat dander, and the inflammation of your nose caused by a cold virus can all cause a sneeze (or several sneezes). When you sneeze, muscles in your face, neck, and chest contract reflexively. In rare cases, very bright lights or eating a large meal can make people sneeze. Go figure!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He made her sneeze and caused watery eyes and severe rashes.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 6, 2026
“But now, for the next six weeks, he can’t sneeze or cough because it could do a lot of damage.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 13, 2026
Interest surged in 2020 when the star unexpectedly dimmed after what was described as a stellar "sneeze."
From Science Daily ● Jan. 10, 2026
As a result, Mr. Hegseth’s pocket square is nothing to sneeze at.
From Salon ● Apr. 6, 2025
I didn't yawn, sneeze, or scratch any visible thing.
From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg
Measles is a highly contagious disease which is spread by coughs and sneezes or by touching things that someone with measles has coughed or sneezed on.
From BBC ● Feb. 15, 2026
As one old adage goes, when it sneezes, the rest of the group catches a cold.
From Barron's ● Nov. 5, 2025
And if tech sneezes, global financial markets—starting with the U.S.—will catch a cold.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2025
RSV can spread through coughs or sneezes but also by touching a contaminated surface, such as a door handle, and then touching your face before washing your hands, health officials warn.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 30, 2025
Between sneezes Methuselah hurried to keep pace with him.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
I felt a stab of pain whenever I coughed or sneezed.
From Slate ● Mar. 29, 2026
Measles is a highly contagious disease which is spread by coughs and sneezes or by touching things that someone with measles has coughed or sneezed on.
From BBC ● Feb. 15, 2026
Though initially, this created a buzz that Betelgeuse might go supernova any minute, scientists soon found out that the dimming was actually due to a large fluff of dust that the monster sneezed out.
From Space Scoop ● Aug. 20, 2025
None of these actors have ever sneezed onstage, but several say it’s the bodily function that would frighten them the most to perform.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 4, 2024
At one point, my client sneezed violently, causing a virtual stampede in the courtroom; most observers believed he was casting a spell.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
The fine powder released by certain grasses, trees and plants can cause chaos for those who are allergic, with itchy eyes, sneezing and headaches all common symptoms.
From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026
It can spread through coughing and sneezing, and remain infectious in the air up to two hours after an infected person has left a room.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 16, 2026
Prof Andrew Lee, from the University of Sheffield, suggests people with other infections that cause a lot of coughing and sneezing may have made it easier for meningitis-causing bacteria to spread in the club.
From BBC ● Mar. 18, 2026
Lying would be obvious if you’re not coughing, sniffling or sneezing, and insulting to the other person.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 4, 2025
Then she sneezed and fell into a sneezing fit.
From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
