snicker

American  

[snik-er] / ˈsnɪk ər /

verb (used without object)

1. to laugh in a half-suppressed, indecorous or disrespectful manner.

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verb (used with object)

1. to utter with a snicker.

noun

1. a snickering laugh.

snicker British  

/ ˈsnɪkə /

noun

1. a sly or disrespectful laugh, esp one partly stifled

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verb

1. Equivalent term (in Britain and certain other countries): snigger.  to utter such a laugh

2. (of a horse) to whinny

Other Word Forms

• snickeringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of snicker

First recorded in 1685–95; of expressive origin

Example Sentences

I got several quizzical looks and perhaps a snicker.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

"Like, wait a minute, you didn't pay anything at all, and yet you still have complaints?" she said with a snicker.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

McCurry never belittled anyone, though occasionally the Bigfoot questions would cause other reporters to snicker.

From Salon • Oct. 24, 2025

If your first instinct, like mine, is to snicker, know that this self-important drama is devoid of humor.

From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2023

People stopped talking and eating to snicker about it, but no one seemed surprised.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia

Related Words

• chortle
• chuckle
• giggle
• laugh
• smirk
• sneer