Sneak

/sniːk/

Meaning & Definition

noun

a stealthy or surreptitious act.

The kids planned a sneak to the candy store after school.

verb

to move quietly and stealthily in order to avoid being noticed.

He decided to sneak out of the house to avoid waking his parents.

to do something secretly or discreetly.

She tried to sneak a cookie from the jar without anyone seeing her.

Middle English 'sneken', from Old English 'sniccan'; akin to Dutch 'sneken' to creep, sneak.

sneak peek

A quick or secretive look at something before it is officially revealed.

sneak away

To escape or leave quietly without being observed.

sneak up on

To approach someone quietly and unexpectedly.

sneaky

Characterized by stealth or deception.

sneakiness

The quality of being secretive or deceitful.

To deceive or trick someone.

He snuck them into the club without a cover charge.

To secretly take something without permission.

I snuck a smoke behind the building.