sneeze

verb \ ˈsnēz \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of sneeze

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 at

: to make light of

the cost was nothing to sneeze at

See sneeze defined for English-language learners

See sneeze defined for kids

Examples of sneeze in a Sentence

She was constantly sneezing and coughing.

Recent Examples of sneeze from the Web

Pro: The covering over my face provided a filter through which no more cold air would enter my mouth or nose and make my cough and sneezing worse.

— brooke bobb, Vogue, "Can You Wear a Balaclava in Real Life? One Vogue Writer Puts the Fall 2018 Trend to the Test," 28 Mar. 2018
Seated less than one row away from a coughing, sneezing person?

— barbara peterson, Condé Nast Traveler, "How Your Plane Can Make You Sick," 20 Mar. 2018
Keeping your distance from sneezing spring-breakers is also a good idea.

— markham heid, Time, "Are You More Likely to Get Sick When The Seasons Change? Here's What Experts Say," 19 Mar. 2018
Coming out of high school, he was rated as the 30th best player in Texas, which is nothing to sneeze at but also usually does not portend an NBA future.

— mike finger, San Antonio Express-News, "Red Raiders’ belief pays off," 17 Mar. 2018
Cover your nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing.

— lawrence specker, AL.com, "Mardi Gras and the flu: Health Department recommends normal care," 5 Feb. 2018
While some liberals think Democrats caved, the fact that Democrats have any leverage in President Trump's Republican Congress ain't nothing to sneeze at.

— josh hafner, USA TODAY, "OnPolitics Today: The shutdown gets shut down," 22 Jan. 2018
That in turn gives her a name recognition (and ability to fundraise) that’s nothing to sneeze at.

— james pindell, BostonGlobe.com, "It’s hard to see how anyone could beat Oprah for the Democratic nomination. Here’s why," 8 Jan. 2018
Whoever was in charge of sprinkles appears to have sneezed them out, some gather along the edges, holding on for dear frosting life.

— alex beggs, Bon Appetit, "6 New Trader Joe's Products, Plus Something Called a ‘Blarney Scone,‘ Reviewed," 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sneeze.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sneeze

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

sneeze

noun

Definition of sneeze

: an act or instance of sneezing

Recent Examples of sneeze from the Web

The flu virus is airborne, so tuck your nose and mouth into your elbow to cover a sneeze or cough.

— anne saker, Cincinnati.com, "We’re almost done with a brutal flu season. Get ready now for next year.," 2 Apr. 2018
The FlyHealthy team also noted that their simulations included only transmission by droplet — cases of germs spreading via cough or sneeze, for instance.

— karen kaplan, latimes.com, "To avoid germs on an airplane, consider booking a window seat," 20 Mar. 2018
The virus is mainly spread by the droplets made when people with the virus cough, sneeze, or talk.

— korin miller, SELF, "How to Know When It’s Safe to Go Back to Work After the Flu," 22 Jan. 2018
In other words, holding in a sneeze is nothing to sneeze at.

— beth mole, Ars Technica, "Beware a bottled booger blast—they can blow up your throat, doctors warn," 16 Jan. 2018
For anyone who's ever tried to stifle a particularly powerful sneeze: don't.

— sarah rense, Esquire, "Here's Why You Should Never Hold in a Sneeze," 16 Jan. 2018
Adenoviruses, like other viruses, can spread through the air in droplets from an infected person's cough or sneeze, the CDC explains, so try to keep your distance from anyone who's sick.

— claire gillespie, SELF, "What the Heck Is an Adenovirus and How Worried Should You Actually Be?," 13 Feb. 2018
Seems this dude, whose name is not being released, tried to stop a sneeze by squeezing his nose closed while keeping his mouth shut.

— kelly kazek, AL.com, "Turns out, sneezing can blow your brains in, a cautionary tale," 18 Jan. 2018
The man, a healthy 34-year-old in the U.K., tried to stop a forceful sneeze by pinching his nose and closing his mouth.

— sarah rense, Esquire, "Here's Why You Should Never Hold in a Sneeze," 16 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of sneeze

1646

SNEEZE Defined for English Language Learners

sneeze

verb

Definition of sneeze for English Language Learners

: to suddenly force air out through your nose and mouth with a usually loud noise because your body is reacting to dust, a sickness, etc.

SNEEZE Defined for Kids

sneeze

verb \ ˈsnēz \

Definition of sneeze for Students

sneezed; sneezing

: to force the breath out in a sudden and noisy way

sneeze

noun

Definition of sneeze for Students

: an act or instance of sneezing

Medical Dictionary

sneeze

intransitive verb \ ˈsnēz \

medical Definition of sneeze

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