snort

American  

[snawrt] / snɔrt /

verb (used without object)

1. (of animals) to force the breath violently through the nostrils with a loud, harsh sound.

   The spirited horse snorted and shied at the train.

2. (of persons) to express contempt, indignation, etc., by a similar sound.

3. Slang.  to take a drug by inhaling.

---

verb (used with object)

1. to utter with a snort.

2. to expel (air, sound, etc.) by or as by snorting.

3. Slang.  to take (a drug) by inhaling.

   to snort cocaine.

noun

1. the act or sound of snorting.

2. Slang.  a quick drink of liquor; shot.

3. Slang.

   1. an act or instance of taking a drug by inhalation.

   2. the amount of drug inhaled.

4. British.  snorkel.

snort British  

/ snɔːt /

verb

1. (intr) to exhale forcibly through the nostrils, making a characteristic noise

2. (intr) (of a person) to express contempt or annoyance by such an exhalation

3. (tr) to utter in a contemptuous or annoyed manner

4. slang  to inhale (a powdered drug) through the nostrils

---

noun

1. a forcible exhalation of air through the nostrils, esp (of persons) as a noise of contempt or annoyance

2. slang  an instance of snorting a drug

3. Also called: snorter.  slang  a short drink, esp an alcoholic one

4. slang  the snorkel on a submarine

Other Word Forms

• snorting noun
• snortingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of snort

1325–75; Middle English snorten (v.); probably akin to snore

Example Sentences

“The first thing I saw was Britney and her young starlet friend snorting a fat line of coke off the table,” he said in his book.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s easy to snort at two men who—whether from political machination, ego or fantasy—continue to present obvious abuses of authority as beyond reproach.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I fail to see why modesty is considered a virtue,” he says with a snort.

From Los Angeles Times

Holley said that Kay revealed his drug use in text messages and emails, and that a clubhouse attendant witnessed Kay snorting lines of drugs in a kitchen area outside the Angels clubhouse.

From Los Angeles Times

The Angels lawyers will tell the jury that taking opioids prescribed by a physician during recovery from surgery is vastly different than Skaggs chopping up and snorting counterfeit pills that were not prescribed for him.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• grunt