snore
B1Neutral to informal
Definition
Meaning
To breathe noisily through the mouth and nose while sleeping.
To make a similar rough, vibrating sound; to sleep or be inactive in a way that suggests indifference.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to an involuntary bodily function during sleep. Can be used metaphorically to describe a dull, droning sound or a state of inactivity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Minor spelling variations in related words (e.g., 'snorer' is consistent).
Connotations
Universally associated with sleep, often with mildly negative or humorous connotations of disturbance.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] snores.[Subject] snores [Adverbial] (e.g., loudly).I can hear [Object] snoring.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “saw logs”
- “saw wood”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in informal contexts (e.g., 'The meeting was so boring I nearly started snoring').
Academic
Rare, may appear in medical or sleep studies literature.
Everyday
Very common in personal and humorous descriptions of sleep.
Technical
Used in medical contexts (e.g., otolaryngology, sleep medicine) to describe a symptom of sleep-disordered breathing.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- My flatmate snores so loudly I have to wear earplugs.
- He drifted off and began to snore gently.
American English
- My roommate snores like a chainsaw.
- Dad fell asleep on the couch and was snoring in minutes.
adverb
British English
- N/A (Extremely rare and non-standard).
American English
- N/A (Extremely rare and non-standard).
adjective
British English
- He is a notorious snoring partner.
- We could hear the snoring passenger from three rows back.
American English
- She recorded her snoring spouse as evidence.
- The snoring dog was banished from the bedroom.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My dad snores.
- The dog snores sometimes.
- I couldn't sleep because my brother was snoring loudly.
- Does anyone in your family snore?
- His snoring has become a real issue for our relationship.
- The medication can cause some patients to snore more heavily.
- The rhythmic snoring emanating from the tent suggested a deep, untroubled sleep.
- She was diagnosed with sleep apnoea, a condition characterised by interrupted breathing and severe snoring.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the sound 'SNORe' contains the word 'NOISE' scrambled within it – a SNORe is a sleeping NOISE.
Conceptual Metaphor
SLEEP IS NOISY PRODUCTION (e.g., 'sawing logs', 'driving a tractor').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'храпеть' (to snore) and 'сопеть' (to sniffle/breathe audibly through a stuffy nose). 'Snore' is specifically the loud, vibrating sound of 'храп'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'snore' for light breathing sounds (use 'breathe heavily').
- Incorrect: 'He was snoring with a cold.' (This likely describes congested breathing, not true snoring.)
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a strong synonym for 'snore'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. Occasional, light snoring is common. However, loud, chronic snoring can be a symptom of sleep apnoea, which requires medical attention.
Yes. 'Snore' is also a countable noun meaning the act or sound of snoring (e.g., 'He let out a loud snore').
A 'snore' is a continuous, often vibrating sound made during sleep. A 'snort' is a short, explosive sound made through the nose, often expressing amusement, contempt, or to clear the nostrils.
Direct idioms with 'snore' are rare. The synonymous phrases 'saw logs' and 'saw wood' are more idiomatic alternatives.
Explore