SNEAK (snuck)

Pronunciation (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sneak mean? 

• SNEAK (noun)
  The noun SNEAK has 3 senses:

1. a person who is regarded as underhanded and furtive and contemptible
2. someone who prowls or sneaks about; usually with unlawful intentions
3. someone acting as an informer or decoy for the police

  Familiarity information: SNEAK used as a noun is uncommon.

• SNEAK (adjective)
  The adjective SNEAK has 1 sense:

1. marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed

  Familiarity information: SNEAK used as an adjective is very rare.

• SNEAK (verb)
  The verb SNEAK has 4 senses:

1. to go stealthily or furtively
2. put, bring, or take in a secretive or furtive manner
3. make off with belongings of others
4. pass on stealthily

  Familiarity information: SNEAK used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SNEAK (noun)

Meaning:

A person who is regarded as underhanded and furtive and contemptible

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("sneak" is a kind of...):

disagreeable person; unpleasant person (a person who is not pleasant or agreeable)

Meaning:

Someone who prowls or sneaks about; usually with unlawful intentions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

prowler; sneak; stalker

Hypernyms ("sneak" is a kind of...):

interloper; intruder; trespasser (someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission)

Meaning:

Someone acting as an informer or decoy for the police

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

canary; fink; snitch; stool pigeon; stoolie; stoolpigeon; sneaker; snitcher; sneak

Hypernyms ("sneak" is a kind of...):

betrayer; blabber; informer; rat; squealer (one who reveals confidential information in return for money)

• SNEAK (adjective)

Meaning:

Marked by quiet and caution and secrecy; taking pains to avoid being observed

Synonyms:

furtive; sneak; stealthy; surreptitious; sneaky

Context examples:

a furtive manner / a sneak attack / stealthy footsteps / a surreptitious glance at his watch

Similar:

concealed (hidden on any grounds for any motive)

• SNEAK (verb)

Meaning:

To go stealthily or furtively

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

mouse; pussyfoot; sneak; creep

Context example:

..stead of sneaking around spying on the neighbor's house

Hypernyms (to "sneak" is one way to...):

walk (use one's feet to advance; advance by steps)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s PP

Sentence example:

The children sneak to the playground

Also:

sneak away; sneak out (leave furtively and stealthily)

Meaning:

Put, bring, or take in a secretive or furtive manner

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context examples:

sneak a look / sneak a cigarette

Hypernyms (to "sneak" is one way to...):

act; move (perform an action, or work out or perform (an action))

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sentence examples:

They sneak the food to the people
They sneak the people the food
They sneak the parcel to their parents
They sneak them the parcel

Meaning:

Make off with belongings of others

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Synonyms:

snarf; purloin; pilfer; filch; cabbage; swipe; nobble; abstract; sneak; pinch; hook; lift

Hypernyms (to "sneak" is one way to...):

steal (take without the owner's consent)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s something from somebody

Sentence example:

They sneak the money

Meaning:

Pass on stealthily

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Synonyms:

sneak; slip

Context example:

He slipped me the key when nobody was looking

Hypernyms (to "sneak" is one way to...):

give; hand; pass; pass on; reach; turn over (place into the hands or custody of)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody something
Somebody ----s something to somebody