What does jeer mean?
Jeer is a verb meaning to mock or ridicule someone, often with a sharp or contemptuous remark. It can also name the mocking utterance itself, as in “a jeer at the defeated candidate.” The usual pattern is “jeer at” someone. Compared with “sneer,” which can refer to a facial expression, jeer is more often concerned with hostile words or sounds. Its tone is dismissive and derisive, and it is generally informal, though it also appears in literary prose. Jeer remains vivid and useful because it captures not merely laughter but the deliberate cruelty or contempt in a remark. In conversation, the verb tends to imply an audience or target: people jeer at someone whose appearance, accent, or mistake has made them look foolish. In older usage, the related noun could also refer to an act of mockery, including a derisive look or gesture. Thus, the word occupies a specific place between playful teasing and open hostility, although its mocking edge makes it unsuitable for friendly praise.
To mock or ridicule someone, especially with a derisive remark or sound.
"The students jeered at his exaggerated accent."
Commonly used with “at” followed by the person or thing being mocked.
A mocking or contemptuous utterance, look, or gesture.
"Her jeer at the referee made the audience laugh."
Countable; the plural jeers is standard but less frequent in modern usage.
The plural is grammatically standard, although jeer is used more often as a verb than as a countable noun.
"The rude speaker was answered with jeers from the back of the hall."
Jeer captures mockery with a sharp edge: it names not only the remark but also the hostile sound directed at its target.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jeer come from?
Jeer entered English in the early seventeenth century in the sense “to mock or ridicule.” The verb developed from an obsolete English form, jeere, ultimately associated with Old French gier, meaning “to mock” or “jest at.” Modern French giber and the English words gibe and jibe continue the same French source and preserve a closely related mocking sense.
Related word forms
How jeer is actually used
Jeer is strongly derisive and commonly used in speech, journalism, and literary prose. As a verb, it normally takes the pattern “jeer at” someone. The pronunciation is /dʒɪr/ in much American English and /dʒɪə/ in non-rhotic British English.
Easily confused with jeer
A jeer is principally a mocking word, sound, or act, whereas a sneer often refers more specifically to a contemptuous facial expression or manner.