snivel

[ sniv-uhl ]

verb (used without object)

, sniv·eled, sniv·el·ing or (especially British) sniv·elled, sniv·el·ling.

1. to weep or cry with sniffling.
2. to affect a tearful state; whine.
3. to run at the nose; have a runny nose:

   She sniveled from the cold.

4. to draw up mucus audibly through the nose:

   Stop sniveling and use your handkerchief.

verb (used with object)

, sniv·eled, sniv·el·ing or (especially British) sniv·elled, sniv·el·ling.

1. to utter with sniveling or sniffling.

noun

1. weak, whining, or pretended weeping.
2. a light sniffle, as in weeping.
3. a hypocritical show of feeling:

   a sentimental snivel.

4. mucus running from the nose.
5. (the) snivels, a sniveling condition; a slight cold; the sniffles.

snivel

/ ˈsnɪvəl /

verb

1. intr to sniffle as a sign of distress, esp contemptibly
2. to utter (something) tearfully; whine
3. intr to have a runny nose

noun

1. an instance of snivelling

Derived Forms

• ˈsnivelly, adjective
• ˈsnivelling, adjectivenoun
• ˈsniveller, noun

Other Words From

• snivel·er especially British, snivel·ler noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of snivel¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English snyvele; compare Old English snyflung “sniveling,” derivative of snofl “mucus”; cognate with Low German snüfeln

Word History and Origins

Origin of snivel¹

C14 snivelen; related to Old English snyflung mucus, Dutch snuffelen to smell out, Old Norse snoppa snout

Example Sentences

And I whine a little bit and moan and snivel, and that works.

From New York Times

“They are, it turns out, latter-day saints, deflecting and taking on themselves the slights and assaults of the elitist, convention-bound enemy, becoming martyrs and shields of the people. And my God how they whine, how they snivel, how they demand our attention and sympathy.”

From New York Times

But I snivel all the way home.

From The Guardian

The Soviet anthem blared waywardly within and my propaganda newsreel alter ego was born: please to welcome Comrade Timoteya, Stakhanovite hero cyclist, on glorious mission to celebrate majesty and large scale of Soviet Union, to admire mighty border defenses against rapacity of capitalism and lackey who snivel, to live proud dream of friendship and cooperation in socialist brotherhood.

From New York Times

Then, in 1959, Glenn resolutely set out to snivel his way into the toughest program of all: Project Mercury.

From Time