leer

1 of 2

verb

ˈlir 

leered; leering; leers

intransitive verb

: to cast a sidelong glance

especially : to give a leer

Some female employees complained that they were being leered at by male employees.

leeringly

ˈlir-iŋ-lē 

adverb

leer

2 of 2

noun

: a lascivious, knowing, or wanton look

Synonyms

Verb

• ogle

Examples of leer in a Sentence

Verb

She complained that some disgusting man was leering at her.

He gave her a leering look.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

There’s not much room for nuance here — the political horse-trading involved in creating this opportunity is particularly unconvincing — and the film’s leering eroticism undercuts the seriousness of its case for women as equals on the battlefield. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2024

Jonathan leered at her there, too, but that was that. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

Noun

The impersonal, modernist thrill of watching strangers on the crowded subway has been eroded, but those strange leers have also been replaced by actual fellowship on group text chats. —Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 26 Aug. 2024

Director Sarah Blush and her excellent six-woman ensemble have taken note — even when Williams’s text periodically wavers or thins, Coach Coach remains a delicious showcase for their all-out commitment to every gasp-inducing revelation, ominous leer, and sudden but inevitable betrayal. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 7 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

probably from obsolete leer cheek

First Known Use

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1598, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

leer

verb

ˈli(ə)r

: to give a nasty or sexually suggestive look

leer noun