snuck

English

Etymology

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

• IPA^(key): /snʌk/

  • Audio (Southern England):

    (file)

  • Audio (US):

    (file)

• (Northern England, Ireland) IPA^(key): /snʊk/
• Rhymes: -ʌk

Verb

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

• See sneak for notes on sneaked vs snuck.