- sneak
- 1
verb past tense and past participle sneaked, snuck, AmE
1 (intransitive always + adv/prep) to go somewhere secretly and quietly in order to avoid being seen or heard(+ in/past/around etc): They managed to sneak past the guard on the gate.2 (transitive always + adv/prep) to hide something and take it somewhere secretly: sneak sth through/by/past etc: I'm going to try and sneak these bottles of wine through Customs.3 sneak a look/glance at to look at something quickly and secretly, especially something that you are not supposed to see4 (T) informal to quickly and secretly steal something unimportant or of little value: sneak sth from: We used to sneak cigarettes from Dad to smoke in the garden.sneak on sb phrasal verb (T) informal to tell someone such as a parent or teacher about something that another person has done wrong, because you want to cause trouble for that person: Adrian's not popular because he's always sneaking on other kids. sneak up phrasal verb (I) to come near someone very quietly, so that they do not see you until you reach them (+ on/behind etc): Don't sneak up on me like that ! You gave me quite a shock. —see also: sneak preview preview (1) 2 noun (C) BrE informal a child who is disliked because they tell adults about bad things that other children have done wrong
Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.