sneeze

1 of 3

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 3

noun (1)

: an act or instance of sneezing

sneezer

3 of 3

noun (2)

sneez·​er

ˈsnēzə(r)

plural -s

1

: one that sneezes

2

slang

a

: nose

b

: a drink of spirits

c

: one that is exceptional or superlative in some respect

a terrible powerful man he was—a real sneezer

—T. C. Haliburton

d

: jail

Examples of sneeze in a Sentence

Verb

She was constantly sneezing and coughing.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, itchy skin and coughing. — Eva Flowe june 23, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2026

So far, this list includes sneezing, turning my head too fast, and a bumpy car ride. — Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 22 June 2026

Noun

In photos captured during the event, George—who will be following in his dad’s footsteps at Eaton College in the fall—was spotted stifling a sneeze on the balcony, earning a sweet reaction from his mom. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 17 June 2026

However, as seen in a video shared on social media by The Telegraph, 12-year-old Prince George appeared to suppress a sneeze as the final notes played. — Stephanie Petit, PEOPLE, 13 June 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 (1)

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