fleer

¹

[ fleer ]

verb (used without object)

1. to grin or laugh coarsely or mockingly.

verb (used with object)

1. to mock or deride.

noun

1. a fleering look; a jeer or gibe.

fleer

²

[ flee-er ]

noun

1. a person who flees.

fleer

/ flɪə /

verb

1. to grin or laugh at; scoff; sneer

noun

1. a derisory glance or grin

Derived Forms

• ˈfleeringly, adverb

Other Words From

• fleering·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of fleer¹

1350–1400; Middle English flerien (v.) < Scandinavian; compare Norwegian flire a grin

Origin of fleer²

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; flee, -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fleer¹

C14: of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian flire to snigger

Example Sentences

He is rather inclined to fleer at any pretension to American club life of earlier date.

From Project Gutenberg

And cannot I likewise, when time serves, and company is disposed to be kindly affected with it, smile and fleer as takingly?

From Project Gutenberg

But as she passed through the portal down the steps of the turret, she flung back certain words with a defiant fleer.

From Project Gutenberg

To flewer or fleer is to smile in that grinning manner which shows all the teeth.

From Project Gutenberg

For, fleer as aliens would, this was the Awakening of the Red Dragon.

From Project Gutenberg