Snivel

Quick meaning: Snivel is a verb meaning (intransitive) To breathe heavily through the nose while it is congested with nasal mucus.

Meaning

(intransitive) To breathe heavily through the nose while it is congested with nasal mucus.

More Meanings

1. (derogatory, intransitive) To cry while sniffling; to whine or complain while crying.
2. (derogatory, transitive) To say (something) while sniffling or crying.
3. The act of snivelling.
4. Nasal mucus; snot.

Example Sentences

I never snivel over trifles like that.

[…] he began to snivel, and wherever he tried to hide he was found out by the terrific explosions of his suppressed sneezes.

With stinking breath, swart-cheeks, and hanging chaps; With wrinkled neck; and stooping as she goes, With driveling mouth, and with a sniveling nose.

1794, Erasmus Darwin, Zoonomia, London: J. Johnson, Volume 1, Section 16, Subsection 2, p. 149, […] in severe frosty weather, snivelling and tears are produced by the coldness and dryness of the air.

Word Forms

• snivels
• sniveling
• snivelling
• sniveled
• snivelled

Synonyms for snivel

Depending on context, synonyms include sniffle, beef, bellyache, bemoan, bitch, bleat.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include sniffle, snuffle, blubber, whine, snotter, snot.

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