3 VERB If you snatch an opportunity, you take it quickly. If you snatch something to eat or a rest, you have it quickly in between doing other things. □ [V n] I snatched a glance at the mirror. □ [V n] You can even snatch a few hours off.
4 VERB If you snatch victory in a competition, you defeat your opponent by a small amount or just before the end of the contest. □ [V n] The American came from behind to snatch victory by a mere eight seconds.
5 N‑COUNT A snatch of a conversation or a song is a very small piece of it. □ [+ of ] I heard snatches of the conversation.
snaz|zy /snæ zi/ (snazzier , snazziest ) ADJ [usu ADJ n] Something that is snazzy is stylish and attractive, often in a rather bright or noticeable way. [INFORMAL ] □ …a snazzy new Porsche.
sneak /sniː k/ (sneaks , sneaking , sneaked ) The form snuck is also used in American English for the past tense and past participle. 1 VERB If you sneak somewhere, you go there very quietly on foot, trying to avoid being seen or heard. □ [V adv/prep] Sometimes he would sneak out of his house late at night to be with me.
2 VERB If you sneak something somewhere, you take it there secretly. □ [V n prep/adv] He smuggled papers out each day, photocopied them, and snuck them back. □ [V n n] He reckons he can sneak you some free nachos.
3 VERB If you sneak a look at someone or something, you secretly have a quick look at them. □ [V n prep] You sneak a look at your watch to see how long you've got to wait.
4 → see also sneaking
▸ sneak up on
1 PHRASAL VERB If someone sneaks up on you, they try and approach you without being seen or heard, perhaps to surprise you or do you harm. □ [V P P n] I managed to sneak up on him when you knocked on the door.
2 PHRASAL VERB If something sneaks up on you, it happens or occurs when you are not expecting it. □ [V P P n] Sometimes our expectations sneak up on us unawares.
sneak|er /sniː kə r / (sneakers ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Sneakers are casual shoes with rubber soles. [mainly AM ] in BRIT, use trainers
sneak|ing /sniː k I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] A sneaking feeling is a slight or vague feeling, especially one that you are unwilling to accept. □ I have a sneaking suspicion that they are going to succeed.
snea k pre |view (sneak previews ) N‑COUNT A sneak preview of something is an unofficial opportunity to have a look at it before it is officially published or shown to the public.
sneaky /sniː ki/ (sneakier , sneakiest ) ADJ If you describe someone as sneaky , you disapprove of them because they do things secretly rather than openly. [INFORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ] □ It is a sneaky and underhand way of doing business.
sneer /sn I ə r / (sneers , sneering , sneered ) VERB If you sneer at someone or something, you express your contempt for them by the expression on your face or by what you say. □ [V + at ] There is too great a readiness to sneer at anything the Opposition does. □ [V with quote] 'Hypocrite,' he sneered. [Also V that] ● N‑COUNT Sneer is also a noun. □ Canete's mouth twisted in a contemptuous sneer.
sneer|ing|ly /sn I ə r I ŋli/ ADV To refer sneeringly to someone or something means to refer to them in a way that shows your contempt for them. [WRITTEN ] □ They were sneeringly dismissive.
sneeze /sniː z/ (sneezes , sneezing , sneezed )
1 VERB When you sneeze , you suddenly take in your breath and then blow it down your nose noisily without being able to stop yourself, for example because you have a cold. □ [V ] What exactly happens when we sneeze? ● N‑COUNT Sneeze is also a noun. □ Coughs and sneezes spread infections.
2 PHRASE If you say that something is not to be sneezed at , you mean that it is worth having. [INFORMAL ] □ The money's not to be sneezed at.
snick|er /sn I kə r / (snickers , snickering , snickered ) VERB If you snicker , you laugh quietly in a disrespectful way, for example at something rude or embarrassing. □ [V + at ] We all snickered at Mrs. Swenson. [Also V ] ● N‑COUNT Snicker is also a noun. □ …a chorus of jeers and snickers.
snide /sna I d/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A snide comment or remark is one which criticizes someone in an unkind and often indirect way. □ He made a snide comment about her weight.
sniff /sn I f/ (sniffs , sniffing , sniffed )
1 VERB When you sniff , you breathe in air through your nose hard enough to make a sound, for example when you are trying not to cry, or in order to show disapproval. □ [V ] She wiped her face and sniffed loudly. □ [V ] Then he sniffed. There was a smell of burning. □ [V n with adv] He sniffed back the tears. ● N‑COUNT Sniff is also a noun. □ At last the sobs ceased, to be replaced by sniffs.
2 VERB If you sniff something or sniff at it, you smell it by sniffing. □ [V n] Suddenly, he stopped and sniffed the air. □ [V + at ] She sniffed at it suspiciously.
3 VERB You can use sniff to indicate that someone says something in a way that shows their disapproval or contempt. □ [V with quote] 'Tourists!' she sniffed.
4 VERB [usu passive] If you say that something is not to be sniffed at , you think it is very good or worth having. If someone sniffs at something, they do not think it is good enough, or they express their contempt for it. □ [be V -ed + at ] The salary was not to be sniffed at either. □ [V + at ] Foreign Office sources sniffed at reports that British troops might be sent.