snivel

[ sniv-uhl ]
See synonyms for: snivelsnivelingsnivellingsniveler on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),sniv·eled, sniv·el·ing or (especially British) sniv·elled, sniv·el·ling.
  1. to weep or cry with sniffling.

  2. to affect a tearful state; whine.

  1. to run at the nose; have a runny nose: She sniveled from the cold.

  2. to draw up mucus audibly through the nose: Stop sniveling and use your handkerchief.

verb (used with object),sniv·eled, sniv·el·ing or (especially British) sniv·elled, sniv·el·ling.
  1. to utter with sniveling or sniffling.

noun
  1. weak, whining, or pretended weeping.

  2. a light sniffle, as in weeping.

  1. a hypocritical show of feeling: a sentimental snivel.

  2. mucus running from the nose.

  3. (the) snivels, a sniveling condition; a slight cold; the sniffles.

Origin of snivel

1
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English snyvele; compare Old English snyflung “sniveling,” derivative of snofl “mucus”; cognate with Low German snüfeln

Other words from snivel

  • sniv·el·er; especially British, sniv·el·ler, noun

Words Nearby snivel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use snivel in a sentence

  • I, the Socman, am shorn of my lands that you may snivel Latin and eat bread for which you never did hand's turn.

    The White Company | Arthur Conan Doyle
  • There was a snivel of delight on the face of the rascal who had formerly spoken, and who now responded to his chief's invitation.

    The Hero of Panama | F. S. Brereton
  • I dont snivel about what you call moral obligations; I only recognize money obligations.

    The Wayfarers | Mary Stewart Cutting
  • The boy was sniveling too, but I took notice it wasn't a scared snivel—it was a mad snivel, if you all know what I mean.

    Back Home | Irvin S. Cobb
  • Whatever you do (and I address myself in particular to you in the furthest), never snivel.

British Dictionary definitions for snivel

snivel

/ (ˈsnɪvəl) /


verb-els, -elling or -elled or US -els, -eling or -eled
  1. (intr) to sniffle as a sign of distress, esp contemptibly

  2. to utter (something) tearfully; whine

  1. (intr) to have a runny nose

noun
  1. an instance of snivelling

Origin of snivel

1
C14 snivelen; related to Old English snyflung mucus, Dutch snuffelen to smell out, Old Norse snoppa snout

Derived forms of snivel

  • sniveller, noun
  • snivelling, adjective, noun
  • snivelly, adjective

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