snark: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, primarily found in online discourse, journalism, and literary criticism.
Quick answer
What does “snark” mean?
A critical or sharply mocking comment, often made in a witty or sarcastic tone.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A critical or sharply mocking comment, often made in a witty or sarcastic tone.
Originally a nonsense word for a mythical creature in Lewis Carroll's poem; later developed to mean a blend of 'snide' and 'remark'. Also used in mathematics (a type of graph).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The word is understood but used slightly less frequently in the UK, where 'sarcasm' or 'witticism' might be more common in equivalent contexts.
Connotations
Carries the same connotations of sharp, intellectual mockery in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more prevalent in American English media, particularly in discussions of media, politics, and internet culture.
Grammar
How to Use “snark” in a Sentence
He snarked at the politician during the interview. (V + at + NP)The article was a masterpiece of snark. (NP + of + snark)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “snark” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The critic couldn't help but snark about the actor's performance.
American English
- She snarked on Twitter about the confusing new policy.
adverb
British English
- The adverb form is 'snarkily'. e.g., He replied snarkily to the question.
American English
- The adverb form is 'snarkily'. e.g., She answered snarkily, rolling her eyes.
adjective
British English
- The adjective form is 'snarky', not 'snark'. e.g., He left a snarky comment on the blog.
American English
- The adjective form is 'snarky', not 'snark'. e.g., Her snarky tone was hilarious.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; considered unprofessional unless in very specific, informal commentary on industry culture.
Academic
Used in literary criticism to discuss Carroll's work or in media studies analysing online discourse.
Everyday
Used informally to describe a type of humour, especially in reviews or social media. e.g., 'I love her snark about bad movies.'
Technical
In graph theory, a 'snark' is a specific type of connected, bridgeless cubic graph with no 3-edge-colouring.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “snark”
- Using 'snark' as an adjective (the correct adjective is 'snarky').
- Overusing the term for any negative comment, missing its witty/clever connotation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. While coined as nonsense by Lewis Carroll, it is now a standard English word meaning sarcastic criticism.
Snark is a specific, often witty or intellectual subtype of sarcasm, frequently associated with a conversational, mocking tone.
Yes, to 'snark' means to make a snarky comment or remark.
It is context-dependent. It can be positive (appreciated as clever humour) or negative (seen as mean-spirited and dismissive).
A critical or sharply mocking comment, often made in a witty or sarcastic tone.
Snark is usually informal, primarily found in online discourse, journalism, and literary criticism. in register.
Snark: in British English it is pronounced /snɑːk/, and in American English it is pronounced /snɑːrk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch! (from the original poem, often associated with the nonsense context of 'snark')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SHARK with an N - both are sharp and can bite with their words.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRITICISM IS A WEAPON / CRITICISM IS A SHARP OBJECT (e.g., 'cutting remark', 'sharp wit').
Practice
Quiz
In which field does 'snark' have a specific technical meaning?