sneak
B1Informal
Definition
Meaning
To move or act secretly, quietly, and stealthily to avoid being noticed.
To do something in a secret, underhand, or dishonest way; also refers to a person who behaves in such a manner.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Sneak" often implies an element of furtiveness or a desire to avoid detection, whether for innocent play (like a child) or for dishonest purposes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, the past tense and past participle are usually 'sneaked'. In British English, 'snuck' is increasingly common (especially in informal contexts) but 'sneaked' remains the standard form in formal writing.
Connotations
The adjective/noun 'sneak' (e.g., 'a sneak thief', 'Don't be a sneak!') has a stronger negative connotation of dishonesty and betrayal in BrE, whereas in AmE it can be slightly more neutral in certain contexts (e.g., 'sneak peek').
Frequency
"Snuck" is more frequent in AmE speech and informal writing than in BrE, though its use is growing in BrE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
sneak + adverb/preposition (sneak out/in/past)sneak + object (sneak a peek)sneak + object + adverb/preposition (sneak him in)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sneak a peek”
- “On the sneak (AmE, informal)”
- “Sneak up on someone/something”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Informal: 'They tried to sneak the new charges into the contract.'
Academic
Rare, except in literary analysis describing characters' actions.
Everyday
Common: 'I'm going to sneak out early tonight.' 'The cat sneaked into the kitchen.'
Technical
In gaming/military: 'sneak attack', 'sneak skill'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He sneaked out the back door to avoid the reporters.
- Can you sneak me a biscuit from the tin?
American English
- She snuck into the movie theater without paying.
- I'm going to sneak a quick nap before dinner.
adverb
British English
- Rare and informal: 'He went sneak round the corner.' (More common: 'sneakily')
American English
- Rare and informal: 'Come sneak into the kitchen with me.'
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The boy sneaked a cookie from the jar.
- The mouse sneaks past the sleeping cat.
- I'll try to sneak out of the party before it gets too late.
- She sneaked a look at her friend's test answers.
- The journalist sneaked into the forbidden zone to get the story.
- Feeling guilty, he sneaked the expensive purchase past his partner.
- The clause had been sneaked into the bill at the last minute.
- He lived on the sneak for years, avoiding all official records.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'SNEAKer' (trainer shoe) designed for quiet movement.
Conceptual Metaphor
SECRECY IS MOVING WITHOUT SOUND / DECEPTION IS A HIDDEN PATH.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid overusing "красться" (to creep) for all contexts; "sneak" often involves purpose and evasion, not just quiet movement. "Snuck/sneaked" is a verb form, not an adjective like "sneaky" (подлый, скрытный).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'snuck' in formal BrE writing.
- Confusing 'sneak' (verb) with 'sneaky' (adjective).
- Using 'sneak' transitively without an object (e.g., 'He sneaked the meeting' is wrong; 'He sneaked into the meeting' is correct).
Practice
Quiz
Which form is generally preferred in formal British English writing?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'snuck' is a real word and is now widely accepted as an alternative past tense of 'sneak', especially in North American English. It originated as an irregular form in the 19th century.
'Sneak' strongly implies intent to avoid detection, often for a specific purpose (to enter, leave, or take something). 'Creep' emphasizes slow, cautious, and quiet movement, often due to fear or physical difficulty, not necessarily with a hidden purpose.
Yes, informally. A 'sneak' is a person who acts secretly or dishonestly (e.g., 'He's a sneak who tells the teacher everything'). It has a negative connotation.
'Sneak peek' is correct. A 'peek' is a quick look. A 'peak' is the top of a mountain. This is a common spelling mistake.