snell Meaning & Definition
What Does Snell Mean?
Snell is an adjective that means Quick, smart; sharp, active, brisk or nimble; lively. It can also mean Quick-witted; clever. As an adverb, it means Alternative form of snelly. As a noun, it means A short line of horsehair, gut, monofilament, etc., by which a fishhook or lure is attached to a longer (and usually heavier) line.
Snell at a Glance
| Part of speech | adjective, adverb, noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | //snɛl// |
| Syllables | 1 |
| Plural | snells |
| Comparative / superlative | sneller, snellest |
| Verb forms | snells, snelling, snelled |
Snell Definition (Adjective)
- Quick, smart; sharp, active, brisk or nimble; lively.
- Quick-witted; clever.
- Harsh, severe, or stinging.
Snell as an Adverb
- Alternative form of snelly.
Snell as a Noun
- A short line of horsehair, gut, monofilament, etc., by which a fishhook or lure is attached to a longer (and usually heavier) line.
Snell as a Verb
- To tie a hook to the end of a fishing line with a snell knot.
Can you show me how to snell a hook?
Adjective
- Quick-witted; witty.
- Harsh; severe.
Synonyms of Snell
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Snell synonyms and antonyms →Antonyms of Snell
No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.
Snell in a Sentence
Can you show me how to snell a hook?
Word Forms & Grammar
snell (comparative sneller, superlative snellest)
snell (comparative more snell, superlative most snell)
snell (plural snells)
snell (third-person singular simple present snells, present participle snelling, simple past and past participle snelled)
Words That Rhyme With Snell
Origin of Snell
Origin 1: Inherited from Middle English snell (“quick, fast”) from Old English snell, snel (“lively, quick”) from Proto-West Germanic *snell, from Proto-Germanic *snellaz (“active, swift, brisk”).
Origin 2: Akin to Dutch snel (“fast, quick”), German Low German snell (“quick”), German schnell (“quick, swift”), Yiddish שנעל (shnel, “quick, swift”), Italian snello (“quick, nimble”), Old French esnel, isnel (“snell”), and Occitan isnel, irnel (“snell”)), Old Norse snjallr (“skilful, excellent”) (whence Danish snild (“clever”)).
Origin 3: Compare North Germanic words for “reel” or “spool”, such as Norwegian snelle, from Old Norse snælde (“drop spindle”). This etymology is incomplete. You can help Wiktionary by elaborating on the origins of this term.
Pronouncing Snell
Snell is pronounced //snɛl// and has 1 syllable.
Common Questions About Snell
Is snell an adjective or an adverb?
Snell is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as an adverb, a noun and a verb.
What is the plural of snell?
The plural of snell is snells.
What is the past tense of snell?
The past tense of snell is snelled. The present participle is snelling.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of snell?
The comparative form is sneller and the superlative form is snellest.