Definition of sneak

The word "sneak" has its origins in the Old English word "snican," which meant "to creep" or "to move silently." This word then evolved into the Middle English "sniken" and "snikenge," which were used to describe movements made quietly or sneakily, like that of a thief. In the 16th century, the word "sneak" began to appear more frequently in English texts, and it was commonly used to describe people who moved quietly and surreptitiously, often with sinister intentions. This definition of the word remains largely unchanged today, although the term is now applied more broadly to describe any actions or movements made quietly or surreptitiously, such as sneaking off to avoid a task or sneaking a peek at something without being noticed.