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

see also:

sneeze at

sneeze

2 of 2

noun

: an act or instance of sneezing

Examples of sneeze in a Sentence

Verb

She was constantly sneezing and coughing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Cough or sneeze into your elbow. —Hunter Boyce, AJC.com, 2 Mar. 2026

If boomers sneeze, the rest of the economy catches a cold. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 1 Mar. 2026

Noun

Others experience tics more suddenly, like an unexpected sneeze. —Rena Zito, Fortune, 26 Feb. 2026

Measles, which is spread through the air when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes, can cause fever, unexplained rash, cough, congestion or runny nose and red watery eyes. —Alexandra Simon, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026

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

Rhymes for sneeze

• bees
• bes
• breeze
• cheese
• crees
• crise
• deas
• dees
• ease
• fees
• fleas
• flees

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