Sneak | Mean of sneak in English Dictionary

/ˈsniːk/

• Verb
• to move quietly and secretly in order to avoid being noticed
1. They tried to sneak into the movie without paying.
2. As a teenager she would sneak out (of her house/apartment) at night to visit her boyfriend.
3. He sneaked [=crept] past the guard.
• to take or bring (something) secretly and often quickly
1. She sneaked some cigars through customs.
2. He snuck a few cookies out of the jar while his mother wasn't looking.
3. They caught him trying to sneak food into the theater.
4. I sneaked a note to my friend in class. = I sneaked my friend a note in class.
5. I'm going to sneak a smoke. [=I'm going to smoke a cigarette while nobody is watching]
6. I was caught sneaking a look [=secretly looking] at my Christmas presents.
7. Can I sneak a peek at your quiz answers?
• to tell someone (such as a parent or teacher) about something wrong that someone else has done
1. I got in trouble after she sneaked [=squealed, (chiefly US) tattled] on me.

• to approach (someone) quietly and secretly in order to avoid being noticed
1. My father likes to sneak up on my mother and tickle her.
2. Don't sneak up on me like that!
• to approach, happen, or develop without being noticed
1. My birthday really snuck up on me this year.
2. This kind of problem can sneak up on you if you're not attentive.
• Noun
• a person who acts in a secret and usually dishonest way
1. What a rotten sneak! I should have known not to trust her.
• done while others are not paying attention
1. a sneak [=surprise] attack
2. She took a sneak peek [=a secret look] at the birthday presents hidden in the closet.