snivel
to weep or cry with sniffling.
to affect a tearful state; whine.
to run at the nose; have a runny nose: She sniveled from the cold.
to draw up mucus audibly through the nose: Stop sniveling and use your handkerchief.
to utter with sniveling or sniffling.
weak, whining, or pretended weeping.
a light sniffle, as in weeping.
a hypocritical show of feeling: a sentimental snivel.
mucus running from the nose.
(the) snivels, a sniveling condition; a slight cold; the sniffles.
Origin of snivel
1Other 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 DoyleThere 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. BreretonI dont snivel about what you call moral obligations; I only recognize money obligations.
The Wayfarers | Mary Stewart CuttingThe 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. CobbWhatever you do (and I address myself in particular to you in the furthest), never snivel.
British Dictionary definitions for snivel
/ (ˈsnɪvəl) /
(intr) to sniffle as a sign of distress, esp contemptibly
to utter (something) tearfully; whine
(intr) to have a runny nose
an instance of snivelling
Origin of snivel
1Derived 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
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