Leer

Quick meaning: Leer is a verb meaning (intransitive) To look sideways or obliquely; now especially with sexual desire or malicious intent.

Meaning

(intransitive) To look sideways or obliquely; now especially with sexual desire or malicious intent.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To entice with a leer or leers.
2. A significant side glance; a glance expressive of some passion, as malignity, amorousness, etc.; a sly or lecherous look.
3. An arch or affected glance or cast of countenance.
4. (obsolete) The cheek.
5. (obsolete) The face.
6. (obsolete) One's appearance; countenance.
7. (obsolete) Complexion; hue; colour.

Example Sentences

And she looked to Mr. –––– / And leered like a love-sick pigeon.

But Bertran has been taught the Arts of Court, / To guild a Face with Smiles; and leer a man to ruin.

“Hush! Don’t say that. You have done enough evil in your life. My God! Don’t you see that accursed thing leering at us?”

It was a quarter well stocked with deformed, leering, unkempt and uncombed idiots, who held out hands or caps and begged piteously.

Word Forms

• leers
• leering
• leered
• leerest
• leeredst
• leereth

Synonyms for leer

Depending on context, synonyms include ogle, vacant, void, empty, clean, toom.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include sneer, sneering, ogle, lear, read, reading.

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