snigger
snigger — 動詞
- sniggerpresent simple I / you / we / they
- sniggershe / she / it
- sniggeredpast simple
- sniggering-ing form
1. to let out a short, quiet laugh in a way that shows disrespect or scorn toward s
竊笑
以輕蔑的方式低聲暗笑
to let out a short, quiet laugh in a way that shows disrespect or scorn toward someone, especially when they have made a mistake or look foolish.
When the speaker mispronounced the name, Yuna heard a few people in the back snigger.
當講者唸錯名字時，Yuna 聽到後面幾個人偷偷在竊笑。
intransitive: snigger without an object
Karim tried not to snigger at his brother's awkward speech during the wedding reception.
Karim 在婚宴上盡量不對哥哥彆腳的致詞發出竊笑。
snigger + at + target of mockery
The children sniggered behind their hands when the principal's toupee shifted to one side.
校長頭上的假髮歪到一邊時，孩子們都用手掩著嘴竊笑。
Nora felt embarrassed as she saw her classmates snigger while she stammered through the presentation.
Nora 結結巴巴地做完簡報時，發現同學們在一旁竊笑，覺得很尷尬。
Older boys sniggered whenever the timid substitute said 'please' in a quiet voice.
幾個大一點的男生每當害羞的代課老師輕聲說「請」的時候就會低聲竊笑。
- snicker
The neutral American English equivalent; strongly preferred in modern writing to avoid the phonetic sensitivity of 'snigger'.
- titter
A lighter, often nervous laugh; less scornful and more about embarrassment or amusement.
- giggle
A high-pitched, often childish laugh; not typically scornful but can sound silly.
文法句型
snigger + at + noun phrase
用法筆記
This word is increasingly avoided in modern English because it sounds very similar to a deeply offensive racial slur. Most style guides recommend using 'snicker' (the American English term) as a neutral alternative to express the same meaning.
常見錯誤
snigger — 名詞
- sniggersingular
- sniggersplural
1. a short, quiet laugh that expresses mockery, disrespect, or scorn toward someone
嗤笑；竊笑
表達嘲諷的輕聲暗笑
a short, quiet laugh that expresses mockery, disrespect, or scorn toward someone, often when they have said or done something awkward.
Justin gave a quick snigger when he spotted the spelling mistake on the poster.
Justin 看到海報上的拼字錯誤時，嗤笑了一聲。
give a + snigger (common pattern)
A faint snigger came from the back when the singer forgot the lyrics.
歌手忘了歌詞的時候，後方傳來一聲輕微的竊笑。
Meera hid her snigger behind a fake cough when her dad walked in with cake on his face.
Meera 的爸爸滿臉蛋糕走進門時，她假裝咳嗽掩住自己的竊笑。
Elena could not suppress a snigger when she read the embarrassing typo in the menu.
Elena 看到菜單上尷尬的錯字時，忍不住嗤笑了出來。
The teacher silenced the class after a low snigger from the corner.
角落傳來低聲竊笑後，老師讓全班安靜下來。
文法句型
a + snigger + (from + noun phrase)
give + a + snigger
用法筆記
Same sensitivity as the verb form applies. Written American English almost always uses 'snicker' instead. In British English, 'snigger' is still found in older literature but editors increasingly flag it.