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Synonyms

snooker

American  
[snook-er, snoo-ker] / ˈsnʊk ər, ˈsnu kər /

noun

  1. a variety of pool played with 15 red balls and 6 balls of colors other than red, in which a player must shoot one of the red balls, each with a point value of 1, into a pocket before shooting at one of the other balls, with point values of from 2 to 7.

verb (used with object)

  1. Slang. to deceive, cheat, or dupe.

    to be snookered by a mail order company.
snooker British  
/ ˈsnuːkə /

noun

  1. a game played on a billiard table with 15 red balls, six balls of other colours, and a white cue ball. The object is to pot the balls in a certain order

  2. a shot in which the cue ball is left in a position such that another ball blocks the object ball. The opponent is then usually forced to play the cue ball off a cushion

"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

verb

  1. to leave (an opponent) in an unfavourable position by playing a snooker

  2. to place (someone) in a difficult situation

  3. (often passive) to thwart; defeat

"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

Etymology

Origin of snooker

First recorded in 1885–90; origin uncertain

Vocabulary lists containing snooker

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Szubarczyk became the youngest ever professional snooker player when he made his debut aged 14 in June 2025 and is now eyeing Luca Brecel's record as the youngest player to feature at the Crucible.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

Despite his father, William, swiftly banning Virgo from the club, out of concerns for a boy so young treating such a venue of questionable repute as his playground, snooker had already won.

From BBC • Feb. 4, 2026

Beyond snooker, Jude is also a devoted Manchester United fan.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

When asked who would win in a snooker match between him and his father, Jude replied confidently: "Me."

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

They do what is called glancing, which is the same word for bumping off something and carrying on in almost the same direction, e.g., when a snooker ball glances off another snooker ball.

From "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" by Mark Haddon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.