snot
Americannoun
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Vulgar. mucus from the nose.
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Informal. a disrespectful or supercilious person.
noun
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nasal mucus or discharge
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slang a contemptible person
Etymology
Origin of snot
1350–1400; Middle English; compare Middle Low German, Middle Dutch snotte, Old English gesnot, Danish snot
Explanation
Snot is the discharge that comes from your nose when you have a bad cold. You'll want to carry tissues or a handkerchief with you when you're sneezing, to keep the snot contained. There are two meanings of the noun snot: the first, mucus, can be unpleasant. The second meaning, an irritatingly arrogant person, is also unpleasant. If a little kid acts like a snot, his babysitter is definitely not going to let him stay up past his bedtime. If you're a snot to your best friend, she might not speak to you the next day. Snot comes from the Old English word gesnot, or "nasal mucus," from a Germanic root.
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.
"Upload raw images, no filters. You could have snot coming out your nose and nobody would judge."
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
Not to be a snot rag, but I go to Wood & Water so much that they kind of know me there, and they can usually get me a table.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 19, 2026
Begay was covered in sheep snot, but still felt content.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 31, 2023
A more ugly cry than the first time, equipped with snot bubbles and saliva and coughs.
From Salon ● Jun. 18, 2023
His eyes rained rivers, and long ribbons of snot dangled from his wheezing nostrils.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
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.
