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

In the summer, antihistamines such as Zyrtec, Claritin and Benadryl, along with other allergy medicines, can help relieve symptoms, like sneezing, itchy eyes and runny noses. — Makena Gera, PEOPLE, 18 July 2026

Physical symptoms of air irritation include running noses, sneezing, gagging, coughing, and weeping or swollen eyes. — Stella Canino-Quiñones, Washington Post, 17 July 2026

Noun

The illness can spread through coughs, sneezes and infected surfaces. — Antonio Pequeño Iv, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Print media gave the public access only to politicians’ polished remarks; video let Americans see their presidents sweat, sneeze, and stammer. — Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic, 8 July 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