Dictionary-enhanced word family
Word Forms of “Sneak”
To go somewhere quietly and carefully so that people do not notice you; to do something without letting others know.
Word Family of Sneak
Some English words keep the same spelling as a noun and a verb. Context tells you which form is being used.
How to Use Each Word Form in a Sentence
- The cat sneaked into the garden to hunt birds. A2
- She sneaked a look at her friend's answers during the test. B1
- The thief snuck past the security guard without being detected. B2
Word Form Patterns for Sneak
-ly
Adds **-ly** to make an adverb describing how an action happens. Example: sneak → sneakily.
Origin and Word Formation of Sneak
Possibly from Old English snican or related to Scandinavian roots; origin obscure but Germanic
Common in children's games and storytelling. 'Sneak' has both formal British past form 'sneaked' and informal American form 'snuck' which is increasingly used in all varieties.
Common Word Form Mistakes with Sneak
Wrong: They sneaked the supplies in.
Correct: They snuck the supplies in.
Both past forms correct; 'snuck' is more informal and common in American English
Frequently Asked Questions About Word Forms of Sneak
What are the word forms of “sneak”?
The confirmed forms are shown in the word family cards above. Missing parts of speech are hidden instead of filled with placeholder text.
What part of speech is “sneak”?
“sneak” is primarily a verb. Some forms above show how the same root works as other parts of speech.
Can “sneak” be both a noun and a verb?
Yes. Some words keep the same spelling across parts of speech; the surrounding sentence shows the function.
Where does “sneak” come from?
Possibly from Old English snican or related to Scandinavian roots; origin obscure but Germanic