[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/snook/)

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# snook

noun (a snook, snooks); phrase (cock a snook)

«snook» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. «Cock a snook» (UK, old-fashioned) — to make a rude, mocking sign by putting your thumb on your nose and spreading your fingers; also to show open disrespect for someone or a rule. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/snook/#m1)
2. A long, silvery fish of warm seas, caught for food and sport. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/snook/#m2)

### In the lessons

In British writing, «cock a snook at» someone means to cheekily defy or mock them, like breaking a silly rule on purpose. Teachers may call the gesture rude. Anglers in the Caribbean and Florida fish for snook.

### Examples

- The cheeky boy cocked a snook at the bus driver. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/snook/#x1)
- The little shop cocked a snook at the big supermarket by giving everything away free. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/snook/#x2)
- Thumbing your nose — cocking a snook — is a rude gesture. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/snook/#x3)
- Dad caught a snook on his holiday in Florida. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/snook/#x4)
- The new band cocks a snook at old rules about music. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/snook/#x5)
- The pupils cocked a snook at the rain and played outside anyway. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/snook/#x6)

### Note

Rare word; mostly heard in «cock a snook» (here «cock» means «tip up», not a rude word). Another phrase for the gesture: «thumb your nose». Not to be confused with «snooker», the game.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «snook» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/snook/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«snook» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/snook.html) on Mova free.