leer Meaning & Definition
What Does Leer Mean?
As a verb, leer means To look sideways or obliquely; now especially with sexual desire or malicious intent. It is also used to mean To entice with a leer or leers. As a noun, it means A significant side glance; a glance expressive of some passion, as malignity, amorousness, etc.; a sly or lecherous look. As a noun, it means The cheek.
Leer: Key Facts
| Part of speech | verb, noun, adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈlɪə̯/ |
| Synonyms | sneer and sneering |
| Plural | leers |
| Comparative / superlative | more leer, most leer |
| Verb forms | leers, leering, leered |
Leer Definition (Verb)
- To look sideways or obliquely; now especially with sexual desire or malicious intent.
- To entice with a leer or leers.
Leer as a Noun
- A significant side glance; a glance expressive of some passion, as malignity, amorousness, etc.; a sly or lecherous look.
- An arch or affected glance or cast of countenance.
Noun
- The cheek.
- The face.
- One's appearance; countenance.
- Complexion; hue; colour.
- Flesh; skin.
- The flank or loin.
Leer as an Adjective
- Empty; unoccupied; clear.
- Destitute; lacking; wanting.
- Faint from lack of food; hungry.
- Thin; faint.
- Having no load or burden; free; without a rider.
- Lacking sense or seriousness; trifling; frivolous.
leer words
Verb
- To teach.
- To learn.
Noun
- Alternative form of lehr.
Noun
- A long oven or kiln, often having a moving belt, used for annealing glass.
Synonyms of Leer
Leer synonyms and antonyms →Leer in a Sentence
leer words
a leer stomach
a leer horse
Word Forms & Grammar
leer (third-person singular simple present leers, present participle leering, simple past and past participle leered)
leer (plural leers)
leer (comparative more leer, superlative most leer)
Origin of Leer
Origin 1: Exact development uncertain, but apparently from a verb *leer (“to make a face, look sideways”), from leer (“cheek, face, profile”) (see below).
Origin 2: From Middle English ler, leor (“face, cheek”), from Old English hlēor (“face, cheek, profile”), from Proto-West Germanic *hleuʀ, from Proto-Germanic *hleuzą (“ear, cheek”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱlews- (“temple of the forehead, cheek”), from Proto-Indo-European *ḱlew- (“to hear”). Cognate with Scots lire, lere (“face, appearance, complexion”), Dutch lier (“cheek”), Swedish lyra (“pout”), Norwegian lia (“hillside”), Icelandic hlýr (“the face, cheek, countenance”). Related to Old English hlyst (“sense of hearing, listening”) and hlysnan (“to listen”). More at list, listen.
Origin 3: From Middle English lere, from Old English ġelǣr, *lǣre (“empty, void, empty-handed”), from Proto-West Germanic *lāʀi, *lāʀī, from Proto-Germanic *lēziz, *lēzijaz (“empty”), from Proto-Indo-European *les- (“to collect, pick”). Cognate with Dutch laar (“a clearing in the woods”), German leer (“empty”). Related to Old English lesan (“to gather, collect”). More at lease.
Origin 4: From Middle English leren, from Old English lǣran (“to teach, instruct, guide, enjoin, advise, persuade, urge, preach, hand down”), from Proto-West Germanic *laiʀijan, from Proto-Germanic *laizijaną (“to teach”), from Proto-Indo-European *leys- (“track, footprint, furrow, trace”). Cognate with Dutch leren (“to teach, to learn”), German lehren (“to teach”), Swedish lära (“to teach”). Related to Old English lār (“lore, learning, science, art of teaching, preaching, doctrine, study, precept, exhortation, advice, instigation, history, story, cunning”). See lore.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leer
Is leer a verb or a noun?
Leer is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun and an adjective.
What is another word for leer?
You can replace leer with words such as sneer and sneering. See the full list of leer synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of leer?
The plural of leer is leers.
What is the past tense of leer?
The past tense of leer is leered. The present participle is leering.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of leer?
The comparative form is more leer and the superlative form is most leer.