sneeze

1 of 2

verb

ˈsnēz 

sneezed; sneezing

intransitive verb

: to make a sudden violent spasmodic audible expiration of breath through the nose and mouth especially as a reflex act

sneezer noun

sneeze

2 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of sneezing

Phrases

sneeze at

informal : to make light of

—always used in negative statements to indicate something that is important or deserves attention

… a red ribbon for second place is not to be sneezed at or scorned.

—Richard Peck

Perquisites and severance pay are nothing to sneeze at [=are significant]

Examples of sneeze in a Sentence

Verb

She was constantly sneezing and coughing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

That means a kid could get it if an infected person coughs or sneezes around them, Michael Chang, MD, an infectious disease physician at UTHealth Houston, tells SELF. —Korin Miller, SELF, 30 Oct. 2024

Seasonal allergies can cause a runny nose and sneezing—but also itchy eyes and even ears, which are not common cold or flu symptoms. —Juno Demelo, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2024

Noun

Walking pneumonia can spread through droplets when someone coughs or sneezes, the germs linger in the air and others breathe them in, the CDC said. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY, 21 Nov. 2024

And like those other illnesses, RSV can spread directly when an infected person coughs or sneezes. —Korin Miller, SELF, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English snesen, alteration of fnesen, from Old English fnēosan; akin to Middle High German pfnūsen to snort, sneeze, Greek pnein to breathe

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1646, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing sneeze

• nothing to sneeze at
• sneeze at

Kids Definition

sneeze

verb

ˈsnēz

sneezed; sneezing

: to force the breath out through the nose or mouth in a sudden violent noisy action

sneeze noun

sneezer noun

Medical Definition

sneeze

1 of 2 intransitive verb

ˈsnēz 

sneezed; sneezing

: to make a sudden violent spasmodic audible expiration of breath through the nose and mouth especially as a reflex act following irritation of the nasal mucous membrane

sneeze

2 of 2 noun

: an act or instance of sneezing