Use snub when someone is pointedly ignored or rejected in a way that feels insulting.
Use snub when someone is pointedly ignored or rejected in a way that feels insulting.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| He snub his colleague every morning. | He snubs his colleague every morning. |
| She snubbed the soup because it was cold. | She rejected the soup because it was cold. |
| The office snubbed at the visitor. | The office snubbed the visitor. |
| He accidentally forgot the email, so he snubbed her. | He accidentally forgot the email, so he overlooked her. |
Use snub for a clear slight, including a notable omission from a list, invitation, nomination, or award.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| The snob from the award list surprised fans. | The snub from the award list surprised fans. |
| The snubbed was obvious. | The snub was obvious. |
| There was many snub during the meeting. | There were many snubs during the meeting. |
| A delayed train is a snub to passengers. | A delayed train is an inconvenience for passengers. |
Use snub before a noun, most often in snub nose or snub-nosed, rather than as a noun for the nose itself.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| She has a snub. | She has a snub nose. |
| The portrait shows his snub clearly. | The portrait shows his snub nose clearly. |
| He snubbed nose in the drawing. | He drew a snub nose. |
| The sculpture has three snubs. | The sculpture has three snub noses. |
Use snub in technical or nautical contexts for stopping motion by checking a line or restraining force.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| Please snub the video at the good part. | Please stop the video at the good part. |
| She snubbed the taxi at the corner. | She stopped the taxi at the corner. |
| The sailor snub the line around the cleat. | The sailor snubbed the line around the cleat. |
| He snubbed out the rope. | He snubbed the rope. |
Use snub for a deliberate social slight, for notable omissions such as award exclusions, for short blunt shapes, or in technical settings for checking motion.
Confusing snub with snob, or using it for any accidental omission, weakens the word.
From Middle English snibben and snubben, probably from Scandinavian forms such as Old Norse snubba, meaning to scold or rebuke.
What does it mean to snub someone?
To snub someone is to deliberately ignore, reject, or treat them rudely as a slight.
Can snub be a noun?
Yes. A snub is an act of ignoring, rejecting, or excluding someone in an insulting way.
What is an award snub?
An award snub is a notable omission from a nomination or prize when recognition was expected.
Is snub the same as snob?
No. Snub is a slight or the act of slighting someone, while snob is a person who looks down on others.
What does snub nose mean?
A snub nose is short and blunt, often turned up at the tip.
What are the forms of the verb snub?
The main forms are snub, snubs, snubbed, and snubbing.
What are synonyms for snub?
Synonyms include slight, rebuff, ignore, reject, dismiss, and cold-shoulder.
Where does snub come from?
Snub comes from Middle English forms probably linked to Old Norse snubba, meaning to scold or rebuke.
Can snub have a technical meaning?
Yes. In technical or nautical use, snub can mean to check or stop the motion of a rope, cable, boat, or similar moving thing.