What does sneak mean?
To sneak is to move, act, or pass something along without drawing attention. The word is especially associated with entering somewhere secretly, slipping past a watchful person, or giving information to someone in confidence. Its implication is usually negative: a person who sneaks is trying to avoid permission, scrutiny, or an official procedure. The phrase “sneak a peek” is a familiar exception, meaning to take a quick, furtive look. “Sneak” can also function as a noun for an furtive or dishonest person, while forms such as “sneaky” describe behavior intended to deceive or avoid discovery. Together with the related adjective “sneaky,” the word is useful for describing anything covert, furtive, or deliberately concealed.
To move, enter, leave, or act in a furtive or secret manner, especially to avoid notice or permission.
"He sneaked into the theatre after the performance had ended."
“Sneak something to someone” means to disclose it secretly, usually with disapproval or urgency.
An informal term for a furtive, dishonest, or contemptible person.
"I don't trust that sneak."
This noun sense is informal and generally disparaging.
Informal and usually attributive: secret, unannounced, furtive, or conducted without proper notice.
"The prime minister made a sneak visit to the flood zone."
Common in fixed phrases such as “sneak attack,” “sneak preview,” and “sneak peek”; the short form “sneak” is chiefly used before a noun.
The plural is uncommon because the noun sense is informal and disparaging.
"The neighbours suspected the two sneaks of entering the warehouse."
A sneak can be a thief, a secret glance, or an unexpected visit—one word can turn an innocent action into a suspicious one.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sneak come from?
The verb comes through Middle English from Old English snīcan, meaning to creep, steal, or move furtively. The word belongs to a Germanic family of verbs associated with crawling or moving stealthily, although it developed additional meanings concerning secrecy and surreptitious disclosure.
Related word forms
How sneak is actually used
The verb is common in both British and American English and often carries a negative or clandestine implication. The expression “sneak something to someone” usually means to disclose it confidentially, often in a way that disapproves of the disclosure.