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Added 9 October 2026

leer

/ˈlɪə̯/ noun

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about leer at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A facial expression of contempt or scorn; the upper lip curls.
A suggestive or sneering look or grin.

verb

Look suggestively or obliquely; look or gaze with a sly, immodest, or malign expression.
The men leered at the young women on the beach

Origin

Exact development uncertain, but apparently from a verb *leer (“to make a face, look sideways”), from leer (“cheek, face, profile”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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