definitions

sneeze

[ sneez ]
/ sniz /
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR sneeze ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), sneezed, sneez·ing.

to emit air or breath suddenly, forcibly, and audibly through the nose and mouth by involuntary, spasmodic action.

noun

an act or sound of sneezing.

Verb Phrases

sneeze at, Informal. to treat with contempt; scorn: $50,000 is nothing to sneeze at.

Nearby words

sneaky pete, sneck, sneer, sneery, sneesh, sneeze, sneeze at, sneezeguard, sneezeweed, sneezewood, sneezewort

Origin of sneeze

1485–95; earlier snese; replacing Middle English fnese, Old English fnēosan; cognate with Dutch fniezen, Old Norse fnȳsa

Related forms

sneeze·less, adjectivesneez·er, nounsneez·y, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for sneeze at (1 of 2)

sneeze at

verb

(intr, prep.; usually with a negative) informal to dismiss lightlyhis offer is not to be sneezed at

British Dictionary definitions for sneeze at (2 of 2)

sneeze

/ (sniːz) /

verb

(intr) to expel air and nasal secretions from the nose involuntarily, esp as the result of irritation of the nasal mucous membrane

noun

the act or sound of sneezing

Derived Forms

sneezeless, adjectivesneezer, nounsneezy, adjective

Word Origin for sneeze

Old English fnēosan (unattested); related to Old Norse fnӯsa, Middle High German fnūsen, Greek pneuma breath
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

Medicine definitions for sneeze at

sneeze

[ snēz ]

v.

To expel air forcibly from the mouth and nose in an explosive, spasmodic involuntary action resulting chiefly from irritation of the nasal mucous membrane.

n.

The act or an instance of sneezing.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Idioms and Phrases with sneeze at

sneeze at

see not to be sneezed at.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.