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

Pneumonic plague can spread through the air when an infected person or animal coughs or sneezes. — Erika Edwards, NBC news, 5 Oct. 2026

This includes avoiding close contact with people who are sick; covering your coughs and sneezes; washing your hands frequently with soap and water; and avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth. — Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Noun

Measles is a highly contagious disease typically spread through sneezes and coughs. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026

Measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when people cough, sneeze, talk or breath. — Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer, 18 Sep. 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