English Explanatory Dictionary

snide

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Disparaging or derisive in an insinuative way.
  2. Tricky; deceptive; false; spurious; contemptible.
noun
  1. An underhanded, tricky person given to sharp practice; a sharper; a cheat.
  2. Counterfeit money.

Pronunciation

/snaɪd/ en-us-snide.ogg

Word forms

snide snider snidest snides

Etymology

Probably from a dialectal variant of snithe (“sharp, cutting, cold”). See snithe (adjective). Alternatively, possibly a metathetic corruption of Middle English snythand (“piercing (the heart), cold, biting”, literally and figuratively). More at snithe (verb). Compare typologically cutting, Russian ко́лкий (kólkij) (akin to коло́ть (kolótʹ)).

Derived words

snidely snideness snidey snide pitcher
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