Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [leer]
- /lɪər/
- /lɪər/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [leer]
- /lɪər/
Definitions of leer word
- verb without object leer to look with a sideways or oblique glance, especially suggestive of lascivious interest or sly and malicious intention: I can't concentrate with you leering at me. 1
- noun leer protective shelter: The lee of the rock gave us some protection against the storm. 1
- noun leer the side or part that is sheltered or turned away from the wind: We erected our huts under the lee of the mountain. 1
- noun leer Chiefly Nautical. the quarter or region toward which the wind blows. 1
- adjective leer pertaining to, situated in, or moving toward the lee. 1
- idioms leer by the lee, Nautical. accidentally against what should be the lee side of a sail: Careless steering brought the wind by the lee. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of leer
First appearance:
before 1520 One of the 28% oldest English words
1520-30; perhaps v. use of obsolete leer cheek (Middle English leor, Old English hlēor; cognate with Old Norse hlȳr (plural))
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Leer
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
leer popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 86% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
leer usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for leer
verb leer
- stare — to gaze fixedly and intently, especially with the eyes wide open.
- smirk — to smile in an affected, smug, or offensively familiar way.
- goggle — goggles. large spectacles equipped with special lenses, protective rims, etc., to prevent injury to the eyes from strong wind, flying objects, blinding light, etc. spectacles designed for a special purpose, as night-vision or stereoscopic goggles. Informal. glasses, or eyeglasses: I can't see a thing without my goggles. Synonyms: specs, shades.
- wink — to close and open one or both eyes quickly.
- gloat — to look at or think about with great or excessive, often smug or malicious, satisfaction: The opposing team gloated over our bad luck.
noun leer
- grimace — a facial expression, often ugly or contorted, that indicates disapproval, pain, etc.