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.

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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

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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

Etymology

Origin of snooker

First recorded in 1885–90; origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Barry is the founder and president of Matchroom Sport, one of the leading promoters in boxing, darts and snooker, while his son Eddie is chairman of the organisation.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

Barry Hearn is the founder and president of Matchroom Sport, one of the leading promoters across boxing, darts and snooker.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Wu, who uses a translator in his news conferences, shared a bed with his father in a windowless flat in the Steel City as he tried to carve out a career in professional snooker.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

However, in keeping with what had gone before, Higgins immediately responded with runs of 44 and 55 and then pinched the following frame after laying a snooker on the brown.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Alex killed a couple of hours knocking a few balls around on his uncle’s snooker table—and then felt vaguely guilty when Jack caught him at it.

From "Stormbreaker" by Anthony Horowitz

Related Words

• choke off
• crimp
• foil
• impede
• obstruct
• stall
• stonewall
• thwart