I. ˈsnēk verb
( sneaked -kt ; or chiefly dialect snuck ˈsnək ; or dialect snook ˈsnu̇k ; sneaked or chiefly dialect snuck ; sneaking ; sneaks )
Etymology: akin to Old English snīcan to creep, sneak along, Old Norse snīkja to hanker, Danish snige to sneak, Old High German snahhan to creep — more at snail
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to go stealthily or furtively : creep or steal so as to be unobserved
would sneak out over the back fence to avoid boys who were laying for me — John Reed
: slink
sneaked away after his ignominious defeat
b. : to get oneself out or past or through by furtive or artful means
sneak out of a difficulty
his papers always sneak past the examiners
2. : to behave in a furtive or servile manner
3. : to cross a football goal line and score by a quarterback sneak — usually used with over
transitive verb
1. : to put, bring, or take in a furtive or artful manner : get surreptitiously
sneak in a stop at a bar
sneak Christmas gifts into the house
sneak a look at the book during the test
sneak a smoke while the nurse is out
specifically : steal in the manner of a sneak thief
caught him sneaking tomatoes when he thought no one was home
2.
a. : to cause (radio or television sound) to come or go with a very gradual change of volume — used with in or out
b. : to bring in (radio or television sound) at a very low volume
sneak bar sounds
Synonyms: see lurk
II. noun
( -s )
1. : a person who acts in stealthy, furtive, or shifty manner : a sneaky person ; specifically : sneak thief
2.
a. : a stealthy or furtive move
b. : an unobserved departure or escape
3. : sneaker 3 — usually used in plural
4. : the opening lead of a singleton in a card game (as bridge)
5. : sneak preview
6. : quarterback sneak
•
- on the sneak
III. adjective
1. : carried on secretly : clandestine
handbook operations … are now operating on a sneak basis — New Orleans (La.) Times-Picayune
2. : occurring without warning : surprise
a sneak attack
a sneak flood