snuck

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English

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Etymology

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The irregular form snuck originated by analogy with struck for the past of strike. Snuck was originally limited to a few dialects, but is now very widespread (especially in American English) and is recognized by most dictionaries. The word is now one of the best examples of irregularization of a regular verb, along with dove.

Pronunciation

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Verb

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snuck

  1. (chiefly Canada, US) simple past and past participle of sneak
    Synonym: sneaked
    I snuck into the theatre because the movie had already started.
    She thought she had snuck in without being observed ...until she felt a hand on her shoulder!
    • 1960, John Updike, 'Rabbit, Run', page 94:
      Ruth asks, "You give your wife the car?"
      "There was nobody there. I snuck in and out. I left the key inside."
      "And nobody caught you?"

Usage notes

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