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

Because the virus isn’t good at growing in the human nose and throat, however, people who get sick don’t seem able to easily infect others by coughing or sneezing, as happens with the regular seasonal flu, Sutton says. —Jamie Ducharme, TIME, 5 Dec. 2024

The pain can worsen with movement, deep breathing, coughing, and sneezing. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 22 Dec. 2024

Noun

Those precautions include getting vaccinated, covering coughs and sneezes, washing hands and avoiding close contact with sick people. —Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 5 Jan. 2025

Whooping cough can be contagious for weeks after the start of its symptoms, and is spread when a person with the disease coughs or sneezes, sending out a spray of bacteria that others then breathe in themselves. —Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 31 Dec. 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