Sneeze
/sniːz/
nounverbA2
Definition
A sneeze is when your body quickly pushes air out of your nose and mouth, usually because something like dust or a cold makes your nose itchy or uncomfortable. It happens without you choosing it, and it helps clean your nose. As a verb, to sneeze means to do this action.
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See It in Action
The sudden action of pushing air out of the nose and mouth
- •She had to sneeze because of the dust in the air.
- •I sneezed three times in a row this morning.
- •When you feel a sneeze coming, cover your mouth and nose.
The event or sound of a sneeze
- •His sneeze was loud and surprised everyone.
- •The baby’s sneeze was very small and quiet.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "sneeze" like "cough" (A1 word), but instead of air coming from your throat, it comes from your nose and mouth suddenly and strongly.
- ✓Picture a small explosion of air and tiny drops coming out of your nose and mouth when you sneeze.
- ✓It's the feeling when your nose is tickly and you can't stop a quick burst of air from coming out.
- ✓Sounds like "sneeze" → imagine a soft but sudden "sneeze" sound like "shh-choo!" that clears your nose.
- ✓Remember the story of someone about to sneeze but trying hard to hold it back, then finally letting it out.
- ✓NOT like "cough" (air comes from throat), "sneeze" comes from irritation inside the nose.
- ✓NOT like "blow your nose" (deliberate action), "sneeze" is automatic and sudden.
- ✓NOT like "sniff" (small breath in), "sneeze" is a big breath out quickly.
Try Other Words
- •Cough: a sudden air push from the throat (Use when the air comes from the throat, not the nose)
- •Sniffle: to breathe in quickly through the nose, often when sick (Use when someone breathes in softly because of a runny nose)
- •Achoo: the sound people make when they sneeze (Use informally to describe the sneeze sound)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix) — "sneeze" is a simple root word
- •Etymology: Old English "fnēosan," meaning to sneeze or snort; the modern form "sneeze" appeared around the 15th century
- •Historical development: The word changed over time from older forms to the current "sneeze," always meaning the sudden expulsion of air from the nose
- •Modern usage: Used both as a noun (the act or sound) and a verb (to do the action), common in everyday speech
Reflect & Connect
•What situations or things usually make you sneeze, and how do you react when it happens?
•How do people around you usually respond when someone sneezes? Does it change in different cultures?
Fill in the blanks
1.I had to sneeze because ___ ___ ___ dust in the air made my nose itchy.
2.When you sneeze, it is polite to cover your ___ and ___ to stop spreading germs.
3.A sneeze is different from a cough because a cough comes from your ___, while a sneeze comes from your ___.
4.She tried to hold back her sneeze, but suddenly it ___ out loudly.
5.People often say "Bless you" or "Gesundheit" right after someone ___.
6.You should not sneeze without covering your mouth because ___ ___ ___ spread.
7.After sneezing many times, he decided to ___ his nose to feel better.