English Explanatory Dictionary

snicker

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A stifled or broken laugh.
verb
  1. To emit a snicker, a stifled or broken laugh.
  2. To utter through a laugh of this kind.
  3. To whinny.
noun
  1. A player who snicks the ball.

Pronunciation

/ˈsnɪk.ə(ɹ)/ /ˈsnɪkɚ/ en-au-snicker.ogg

Word forms

snicker snickers snigger snickering snickered

Etymology

US variant of the British snigger, possibly of onomatopoeic origin, similar to Dutch snikken (“to gasp; sob”). The noun is first recorded 1836, from the verb. Compare also Scottish smicker (“to smile or laugh in a sniggering or leery way, smirk”). More at smicker.

Related words

snicker-snack

Derived words

snicker licker snickerer snickeringly snickery
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