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Sneezing: meaning, definitions and examples

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sneezing

 

[ ˈsniːzɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

common action

Sneezing is the sudden, forceful expulsion of air from the lungs through the nose and mouth. It is often a reflex to clear the nasal passages of irritants such as dust, pollen, or allergens. Sneezing can also occur due to a respiratory infection or as a response to bright light.

Synonyms

epistaxis, sneeze

Examples of usage

  • He couldn't stop sneezing due to his allergies.
  • She covered her mouth when she started sneezing in public.
  • Sneezing is sometimes contagious if caused by a viral infection.

Translations

Translations of the word "sneezing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 espirro

🇮🇳 छींकना

🇩🇪 niesen

🇮🇩 bersin

🇺🇦 чхання

🇵🇱 kichnięcie

🇯🇵 くしゃみ (kushami)

🇫🇷 éternuement

🇪🇸 estornudo

🇹🇷 hapşırma

🇰🇷 재채기 (jaechaegi)

🇸🇦 عطس (ʿuṭs)

🇨🇿 kýchnutí

🇸🇰 kýchanie

🇨🇳 打喷嚏 (dǎ pēntì)

🇸🇮 kihanje

🇮🇸 hósti

🇰🇿 жөтел

🇬🇪 ცხვირი (tsk'viri)

🇦🇿 asqırma

🇲🇽 estornudo

Etymology

The word 'sneeze' can be traced back to the late Middle English term 'sneesen', which means to sneeze. This term is thought to be derived from the Old Dutch 'sneus', meaning 'to sneeze', which is akin to the German 'niesen'. The transition from 'sneesen' to 'sneeze' reflects a phonetic evolution in the English language influenced by various dialects and languages. The act of sneezing is documented across cultures, as it is a universal response to irritants affecting the nasal cavity. Over time, the word has retained its relevance in both medical contexts and everyday conversation, often associated with allergies, colds, and other respiratory conditions.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #23,436, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.