sneeze

American  

[sneez] / sniz /

verb (used without object)

sneezed, sneezing

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

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noun

1. an act or sound of sneezing.

verb phrase

1. sneeze at to treat with contempt; scorn.

   $50,000 is nothing to sneeze at.

sneeze British  

/ sniːz /

verb

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

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noun

1. the act or sound of sneezing

Other Word Forms

• sneezeless
  adjective
• sneezer
  noun
• sneezy
  adjective

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

Howie Mandel & Friends: Don’t Sneeze on Me Comics in Los Angeles reflect on life, love, travel and the worldwide pandemic in this new special.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 18, 2021

“They’re telling you every day what to do: if you cough, cough in your arm. Sneeze in some tissue,” he added.

From The Guardian • Apr. 3, 2020

Dyszel recently added a helpful video PSA called “Cough, Sneeze & Cover — The Vampire Way!”

From Washington Post • Mar. 15, 2020

Sneeze into your sleeve, instead of your hand: Children call this the “vampire sneeze,” because it looks like you’re darkly vanishing into the folds of your Transylvanian velvet cape.

From Golf Digest • Feb. 13, 2018

Sneeze before twelve and one, and you will hear news.

From Current Superstitions Collected from the Oral Tradition of English Speaking Folk by Bergen, Fanny D. (Fanny Dickerson)