snivel

[ sniv-uh l ]

/ ˈsnɪv əl /

verb (used without object), sniv·eled, sniv·el·ing or (especially British) sniv·elled, sniv·el·ling.

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.

verb (used with object), sniv·eled, sniv·el·ing or (especially British) sniv·elled, sniv·el·ling.

to utter with sniveling or sniffling.

noun

weak, whining, or pretended weeping.

a light sniffle, as in weeping.

a hypocritical show of feeling: a sentimental snivel.

mucus running from the nose.

snivels, a sniveling condition; a slight cold; sniffles (usually preceded by the).

Words nearby snivel

snips, snit, snitch, snitch line, snitchy, snivel, snively, sno-cat, snob, snob appeal, snobbery

Origin of snivel

1275–1325; Middle English snyvele; compare Old English snyflung (gerund), derivative of snofl mucus; cognate with Low German snüfeln

OTHER WORDS FROM snivel

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sniveled

"Honestly, I didn't think it would kill anything but ragweed," Henry sniveled miserably.
Henry Horn's X-Ray Eye Glasses|Dwight V. Swain
He was all sorrow, and sniveled and blubbered and wept hot, blinding tears through the dark, leathery fingers of his hands.
Twelve Men|Theodore Dreiser
I remember I sniveled a little at being taken at my word, but it served me right for saying one thing when I meant another.
Family Pride|Mary J. Holmes
Brent sank weakly into his chair and began to whimper: "I'm as good a man as I ever was," he sniveled.
Snowdrift|James B. Hendryx

If he exists, he has assumed a less offensive form than when he ate muffins and sniveled inanity in Mrs. Snagsby's back room.
Caricature and Other Comic Art|James Parton.

British Dictionary definitions for sniveled

snivel

/ (ˈsnɪvəl) /

verb -els, -elling or -elled or US -els, -eling or -eled

(intr) to sniffle as a sign of distress, esp contemptibly

to utter (something) tearfully; whine

(intr) to have a runny nose

noun

an instance of snivelling

Derived forms of snivel

sniveller, nounsnivelling, adjective, nounsnivelly, adjective

Word Origin for snivel

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

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

snivel

verb (used without object), sniv·eled, sniv·el·ing or (especially British) sniv·elled, sniv·el·ling.

verb (used with object), sniv·eled, sniv·el·ing or (especially British) sniv·elled, sniv·el·ling.

noun

Words related to snivel

Words nearby snivel

Origin of snivel

OTHER WORDS FROM snivel

Examples from the Web for sniveled

British Dictionary definitions for sniveled

verb -els, -elling or -elled or US -els, -eling or -eled

noun

Derived forms of snivel

Word Origin for snivel