: a version of the game of pool that is played chiefly in Britain with a cue ball, 15 red balls, and 6 balls of other colors on a table that has 6 pockets
—often used before another noun
a snooker player/table
snookers; snookered; snookering
informal
1
US
: to trick or deceive (someone)
She snookered [=hoodwinked] her parents into buying her a new car.
—often used as (be) snookeredI have a feeling we've been snookered.
2
British
: to prevent (someone) from doing or achieving something
He was ahead early in the match, but he snookered himself. [=he caused his own defeat by performing badly]
—often used as (be) snookeredThey wanted to build a museum but were snookered [=thwarted] by city regulations.
Cite this Entry
“Snooker.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/snooker. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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