# snob

/ˈsnɑb/ (US) · /snˈɒb/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/snob
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. someone who looks down on others

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a person who thinks they are better than others because they have 'better' taste or come from a higher social class.

For teachers: a person who believes their tastes, knowledge, or social standing are superior and treats others as inferior.

- He is such a wine snob that he refuses to drink anything from a supermarket.
- The critic was often accused of being a literary snob because he dismissed any novel that appeared on the bestseller list.

Usage: Often used with a modifying noun to show a specific area of elitism, such as 'coffee snob' or 'music snob'.

Teaching tip: While originally about social class, modern usage usually refers to someone who is elitist about specific hobbies or lifestyle choices.

## Examples

- He is a total snob who only drinks expensive wine.
- The local snob refused to speak to the new neighbors because they lived in a smaller house.
- While some critics dismissed the film as a snob's attempt to elevate a simple genre, others argued it successfully bridged the gap between high and popular culture.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.