What does snickerer mean?
A snickerer is a person who laughs in a restrained or barely audible way, and to snicker is to laugh in that manner. The word often suggests that the laugh is being held back rather than absent: someone may snicker at a private joke, a surprising mishap, or an absurd remark while trying to remain composed. Snickering is usually quieter and more controlled than open laughter, but it can carry a faintly furtive or mocking edge, especially when the person is amused by another person's embarrassment. Although the expression is readily understood in both British and American English, snigger is sometimes used instead. The noun is less common than the verb and chiefly denotes someone who habitually laughs in this way. Overall, the word evokes amusement that peeks through self-control or politeness.
A person who laughs in a suppressed, restrained, or barely audible manner.
"The youngest boy was the first snickerer in the group."
To laugh quietly or furtively, especially while trying to conceal the amusement.
"Several members of the audience snickered at the performer's mistake."
Snickerers is the standard plural of the noun meaning a person who laughs quietly or furtively.
"The classroom was filled with snickerers behind the teacher's back."
A snickerer tries to make a small sound, but even a suppressed laugh can say a great deal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does snickerer come from?
The word was formed in the 19th century by adding the agent suffix “-er” to snicker. Snicker itself developed as an imitative verb for a short, suppressed or quietly voiced laugh. The derivative snickery is a related adjective meaning snickering or inclined to snicker.
Related word forms
How snickerer is actually used
The noun is relatively uncommon, while the verb is more frequent. As a verb, it is normally intransitive. The expression can imply either genuinely lighthearted amusement or a suppressed, sometimes mocking, laugh.
Easily confused with snickerer
Both describe a quiet or suppressed laugh, but snigger, especially in British usage, can carry a disparaging or mocking connotation.