Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
 
Help
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

Snarl

 - 6 dictionary results

snarl

1  [snahrl]
Use Snarl in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to growl threateningly or viciously, esp. with a raised upper lip to bare the teeth, as a dog.
2. to speak in a surly or threatening manner suggestive of a dog's snarl.
–verb (used with object)
3. to say by snarling: to snarl a threat.
–noun
4. the act of snarling.
5. a snarling sound or utterance.
Origin:
1580–90; earlier snarle, equiv. to obs. snar to snarl (c. D, LG snarren, G schnarren) + -le

Related forms:
snarler, noun
snarl⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

snarl

2  [snahrl]
–noun
1. a tangle, as of thread, hair, or wire.
2. a complicated or confused condition or matter: a traffic snarl.
3. a knot in wood.
–verb (used with object)
4. to bring into a tangled condition, as thread or hair.
5. to render complicated or confused: The questions snarled him up.
6. to raise or emboss, as parts of a thin metal vessel, by hammering on a tool (snarling iron) held against the inner surface of the vessel.
–verb (used without object)
7. to become tangled; get into a tangle.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME snarle; see snare 1 , -le
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Snarl
snarl 1   (snärl)   
v.   snarled, snarl·ing, snarls

v.   intr.

  1. To growl viciously while baring the teeth.

  2. To speak angrily or threateningly.

v.   tr.
To utter with anger or hostility: snarled a retort.
n.  

  1. A vicious growl.

  2. A vicious, hostile utterance.


[Frequentative of obsolete snar, perhaps from Dutch or Low German snarren, to rattle, probably of imitative origin.]
snarl'er n., snarl'ing·ly adv., snarl'y adj.
snarl 2   (snärl)   
n.  

  1. A tangled mass, as of hair or yarn.

  2. A confused, complicated, or tangled situation; a predicament.

v.   snarled, snarl·ing, snarls

v.   intr.
To become tangled or confused.
v.   tr.

  1. To tangle or knot (hair, for example).

  2. To confuse; complicate.


[Middle English snarle, trap, probably diminutive of snare; see snare1.]
snarl'er n., snarl'y adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

snarl  (v.2)
"growl and bare the teeth," 1530, perhaps from Du. or Low Ger. snarren "to rattle," probably of imitative origin (cf. Ger. schnarren "to rattle," schnurren "to hum, buzz"). Meaning "speak in a harsh manner" first recorded 1693.

snarl  (v.1)
"to tangle, to catch in a snare or noose," 1398, from a noun snarl "a snare, a noose" (c.1380), probably a dim. of snare (1). The noun meaning "a tangle, a knot" is first attested 1609.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see Snarl on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way