snook

[ snook, snoo k ]

/ snuk, snʊk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR snook ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural (especially collectively) snook, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) snooks.

any basslike fish of the genus Centropomus, especially C. undecimalis, inhabiting waters off Florida and the West Indies and south to Brazil, valued as food and game.

any of several related marine fishes.

Nearby words

snoek, snoep, snog, snollygoster, snood, snook, snooker, snoop, snooper, snooperscope, snoopy

Origin of snook

First recorded in 1690–1700, snook is from the Dutch word snoek

Definition for snook (2 of 2)

snook

[ snoo k, snook ]

/ snʊk, snuk /

noun

a gesture of defiance, disrespect, or derision.

Origin of snook

First recorded in 1875–80; origin uncertain

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

Examples from the Web for snook

All efforts to get Snook to talk about his hunting exploits were unavailing.
Adventures in Alaska|Samuel Hall Young
All right, answered Mr. Snook, who hurried off, looking over his shoulder as if he feared he might see more spiders.
The Motor Boys After a Fortune|Clarence Young
And so it came to pass, in due course of time, that the Clyde dropped him at Snook's Arm.
The Adventures of Billy Topsail|Norman Duncan
Owing to this dark stripe the cobia is sometimes called sergeant-fish, thus confounding it with the snook.
Bass, Pike, Perch, and Others|James Alexander Henshall

Nine hours out from Snook's Arm and six with the school without pointing a gun!
The Adventures of Billy Topsail|Norman Duncan

British Dictionary definitions for snook (1 of 2)

snook

/ (snuːk) /

noun plural snook or snooks

any of several large game fishes of the genus Centropomus, esp C. undecimalis of tropical American marine and fresh waters: family Centropomidae (robalos)

Australian the sea pike Australuzza novaehollandiae

Word Origin for snook

C17: from Dutch snoek pike

British Dictionary definitions for snook (2 of 2)

snook

/ (snuːk) /

noun

cock a snook British

to make a rude gesture by putting one thumb to the nose with the fingers of the hand outstretched
to show contempt by being insulting or offensive

Word Origin for snook

C19: of obscure origin

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