snob

[ snob ]

See synonyms for snob on Thesaurus.com

noun

a person who imitates, cultivates, or slavishly admires social superiors and is condescending or overbearing to others.
a person who claims to be an expert or connoisseur in a given field and is condescending toward or disdainful of those who hold other opinions or have different tastes regarding this field: a musical snob.

Origin of snob

First recorded in 1775–85; origin uncertain; first used as a nickname for “a cobbler or cobbler's apprentice,” hence “a townsman, someone of low class or lacking good breeding, commoner,” hence ”someone who imitates persons of higher rank”

Other words from snob

an·ti·snob, noun

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

How to use snob in a sentence

Yet, like the rest of us coastal dwellers, Wall Streeters are food snobs.
How a Pasta Chain Called Noodles & Co. Punked Wall Street | Daniel Gross | July 2, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Gave literary snobs yet another bestselling franchise to scoff at.
50 Ways ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ Has Changed the World | Lizzie Crocker | December 20, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
But beware of the kitchen snobs who sniff that they only need three knives and a cast iron dutch oven.
The 2012 Holiday Kitchen Gift Guide | Megan McArdle | December 13, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
But media snobs put greater stock in those who can make money off of high-quality products.
Daniel Gross: CNN, NBC’s ‘Today,’ are big money makers. But you wouldn’t know it. | Daniel Gross | July 31, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
He attacked public schools and said those who want to send their children to college are snobs.
Romney Wins Michigan and Arizona, but Political Tourette’s Is Costing Him | Paul Begala | February 29, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

I immediately shift any blame from myself and decide that the first-class passengers are all snobs.
My Wonderful Visit | Charlie Chaplin
Comparing his conduct with his predecessors', it really appeared that a gentleman can beat snobs in various relations of life.
It Is Never Too Late to Mend | Charles Reade
Having just encountered a trio of girls whom she had instantly set down as snobs, Ronny had donned her armor.
Marjorie Dean College Freshman | Pauline Lester
We do not know much of the Sans Soucians, but we are not in favor of snobs, Ronny made steady utterance.
Marjorie Dean College Freshman | Pauline Lester
An assembly of two thousand snobs will never stint its applause to an author who chastises snobbery.
The English Stage | Augustin Filon

British Dictionary definitions for snob

snob

/ (snɒb) /

noun

- a person who strives to associate with those of higher social status and who behaves condescendingly to others: Compare inverted snob
- (as modifier): snob appeal
a person having similar pretensions with regard to his tastes, etc: an intellectual snob

Origin of snob

C18 (in the sense: shoemaker; hence, C19: a person who flatters those of higher station, etc): of unknown origin

Derived forms of snob

snobbery, noun
snobbish, adjective
snobbishly, adverb
snobbishness or snobbism, noun
snobby, 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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