snarl
pronunciation
How to pronounce snarl in British English:
UK [snɑ:l]
How to pronounce snarl in American English:
US [snɑrl]
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- Noun:
- a vicious angry growl
- an angry vicious expression
- something jumbled or confused
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- Verb:
- utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
- make a snarling noise or move with a snarling noise
- twist together or entwine into a confusing mass
- make more complicated or confused through entanglements
Word Origin
- snarl (v.2)
- "growl and bare the teeth," 1580s, perhaps from Dutch or Low German snarren "to rattle," probably of imitative origin (compare German schnarren "to rattle," schnurren "to hum, buzz"). Meaning "speak in a harsh manner" first recorded 1690s. Related: Snarled; snarling.
- snarl (v.1)
- "to tangle, to catch in a snare or noose" (trans.), late 14c., from a noun snarl "a snare, a noose" (late 14c.), probably a diminutive of snare (n.1). Intransitive sense "become twisted or entangled" is from c. 1600. Related: Snarled; snarling.
- snarl (n.2)
- "a sharp growl accompanied by a display of the teeth," 1610s, from snarl (v.2).
- snarl (n.1)
- late 14c., "a snare, noose," from snarl (v.1). Meaning "a tangle, a knot" is first attested c. 1600. Meaning "a traffic jam" is from 1933.
Example
- 1. Martin said so sharply that it was almost a snarl .
- 2. One failed traffic light at a busy intersection , for example , can snarl vehicles for miles .
- 3. Although unions and government officials have begun negotiating reforms to special pensions-and more trains are running-the strike continues to snarl traffic , particularly in the paris area .
- 4. Republicans snarl that democrats want to tax americans every time they flip a light switch .
- 5. At the seaside we could hear the snarl of the waves .