I. ˈsnēk verb
( sneaked ˈsnēkt ; or snuck ˈsnək ; sneak·ing )
Etymology: akin to Old English snīcan to sneak along, Old Norse snīkja
Date: 1594
intransitive verb
1. : to go stealthily or furtively : slink
snuck out early
2. : to act in or as if in a furtive manner
3. : to carry the football on a quarterback sneak
transitive verb
: to put, bring, or take in a furtive or artful manner
sneak a smoke
Synonyms: see lurk
•
- sneak up on
Usage:
From its earliest appearance in print in the late 19th century as a dialectal and probably uneducated form, the past and past participle snuck has risen to the status of standard and to approximate equality with sneaked. Indications are that it is continuing to grow in frequency. It is most common in the United States and Canada, but has also been spotted in British and Australian English.
II. noun
Date: circa 1643
1. : a person who acts in a stealthy, furtive, or shifty manner
2.
a. : a stealthy or furtive move
b. : an unobserved departure or escape
3. : sneaker 2 — usually used in plural
4. : quarterback sneak
III. adjective
Date: circa 1859
1. : carried on secretly : clandestine
2. : occurring without warning : surprise
a sneak attack