# snore

/ˈsnɔɹ/ (US) · /snˈɔː/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to make noise while sleeping

verb · CEFR B1

to breathe with a loud, vibrating sound while you are asleep.

For teachers: to breathe during sleep with harsh, snorting noises caused by the vibration of the soft palate.

- My husband snores so loudly that I sometimes have to sleep in the guest room.
- Clinical studies suggest that patients who snore persistently may be suffering from underlying obstructive sleep apnea, requiring further diagnostic evaluation.

Usage: The verb is often used intransitively, though it can take a cognate object in literary contexts.

### 2. the sound of snoring

noun · CEFR B1

the actual sound someone makes when they breathe loudly during sleep.

For teachers: the specific sound or act of breathing vibrantly during sleep.

- A loud snore from the sofa told me that Grandpa had fallen asleep.
- The silence of the dormitory was broken only by the occasional rhythmic snore of a tired traveller.

### 3. something boring

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a person or an event that is extremely boring.

For teachers: a person, event, or situation perceived as exceptionally dull or tedious.

- I thought the three-hour lecture on tax law was a total snore.
- Despite the hype surrounding the product launch, the presentation turned out to be a complete snore, offering nothing new to the industry.

## Examples

- The loud snore woke him up in the middle of the night.
- I could barely read my book because of the constant snore coming from the next room.
- The rhythmic snore of the old man filled the cabin, providing a strange sense of security to the young traveler who was far from home.

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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.