How to pronounce sneer
Say it like SNIH-er. Sneer has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SNIH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sneer. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SNIH
- er
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Sneer pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SNIHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- erKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of sneer
- American English uses 2 syllables and British English 1.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: SNEER.
What does sneer mean?
- To raise a corner of the upper lip slightly, especially in scorn.
- To utter with a grimace or contemptuous expression; to say sneeringly.“to sneer fulsome lies at a person”
- A facial expression where one slightly raises one corner of the upper lip, generally indicating scorn.
- A display of contempt; scorn.
Where does sneer come from?
From Middle English sneren (“to mock, scoff at”), from Old English fnǣran (“to snort”), from Proto-West Germanic *fnāʀijan, from Proto-Germanic *fnesaną (“to pant, gasp”).
Words that rhyme with sneer
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of sneer.
Questions about saying sneer
How do you pronounce sneer?
Say SNIH-er. The American pronunciation is /ˈsnɪɚ/. In British English it is /snɪə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sneer?
Sneer has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SNIH). Broken into parts: SNIH · er.
Is sneer pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 2 syllables and British English 1. The British form is /snɪə/ (SNEER).