snot

American  

[snot] / snɒt /

noun

1. Vulgar. mucus from the nose.

2. Informal. a disrespectful or supercilious person.

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snot British  

/ snɒt /

noun

1. nasal mucus or discharge

2. slang a contemptible person

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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

Don’t look now, but a Lincoln Riley team just beat the snot out of a Big Ten bruiser.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 12, 2025

Begay was covered in sheep snot, but still felt content.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 31, 2023

Cardellini: Yeah, there was a lot of snot and tears.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 15, 2023

The camera jogs along with Ken as he holds back snot and tears, doing his best not to alarm the carousing guests.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2023

The last thing she wanted on her was snot.

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi