snooker
[ snook-er, snoo-ker ]
/ ˈsnʊk ər, ˈsnu kər /
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noun
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)
Slang. to deceive, cheat, or dupe: to be snookered by a mail order company.
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Origin of snooker
First recorded in 1885–90; origin uncertain
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use snooker in a sentence
A player is “snookered” if his ball is so placed that he cannot hit a ball on which he is compelled to play.
He went to bed wondering how he'd ever let himself get snookered into the deal.
First on the Moon|Jeff SuttonAt a first view it appeared that I was rather badly snookered.
The City in the Clouds|C. Ranger GullThere was a time when a remark like that would have had me snookered.
Right Ho, Jeeves|P. G. Wodehouse
British Dictionary definitions for snooker
snooker
/ (ˈsnuːkə) /
noun
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
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
verb (tr)
to leave (an opponent) in an unfavourable position by playing a snooker
to place (someone) in a difficult situation
(often passive) to thwart; defeat
Word Origin for snooker
C19: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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