What does snoring mean?
Snoring means breathing noisily through the nose and mouth during sleep. As a verb, it describes the action itself: a person may snore loudly, heavily, or softly. As a noun, snoring refers either to the characteristic sound produced during sleep or, more formally, to the act of breathing this way. The word is commonly used in household, medical, and sleep-related contexts, though it can also be used teasingly to describe a person who disturbs others with the sound. Although occasional snoring is common, persistent loud snoring may be associated with obstructive sleep apnea, in which breathing repeatedly slows, stops, or becomes restricted during sleep. Snoring can also result from factors such as nasal congestion, alcohol use, sleeping position, or obesity. The term is therefore useful both for describing an ordinary everyday occurrence and for discussing a symptom that may merit medical attention.
To breathe noisily through the nose and mouth while asleep.
"He snored softly throughout the long train journey."
The verb is common in both factual and informal contexts and can also be used figuratively to mean sleeping very heavily.
The sound or act of breathing noisily through the nose and mouth during sleep.
"Loud snoring from the next room kept her awake."
The noun is commonly used attributively, as in snoring partner or snoring habit.
The plural is grammatically correct but uncommon; constructions such as loud snoring and heavy snoring are normally treated as uncountable.
"Several distinct snorings were recorded during the sleep study."
Loud, persistent snoring can be a warning sign of obstructive sleep apnea—but not every snorer has it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does snoring come from?
Snoring is the present-participle and gerund form of the verb snore. The verb appears in Middle English as snoren and belongs to an imitative tradition of words representing nasal breathing sounds, a tradition that also includes related forms such as snort and snuff. Snored and snorer are grammatical derivatives of the same base, while snoring preserves the -ing form traditionally used for an action occurring at the same time as the verb.
Related word forms
How snoring is actually used
The term is neutral in medical and factual contexts but can sound teasing or disparaging when used to describe a person's habitual behavior. Pronunciation does not differ significantly between British and American English.
Easily confused with snoring
Snoring is the sustained, often rhythmic sound of breathing during sleep, whereas snorting is a forceful burst of air through the nose and may occur while awake or asleep.