sneezes

1. 1
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of sneeze.

   He sneezes constantly during pollen season, no matter how many tablets he takes.

   The toddler giggles every time the puppy sneezes near her face.

   Note

   The -s ending appears only with a singular third-person subject: it sneezes, but they sneeze. Most often the verb stands alone, as in the dog sneezes. It can also take what is expelled as an object, as in he sneezes dust from his nose. It even stretches to a creature or thing that only acts as if its nose were irritated.

2. 2
   noun

   Plural of sneeze.

   A burst of sneezes echoed across the silent library reading room.

   She counted at least six sneezes before finally reaching for a tissue.

   Note

   Each sneeze is one act, so the plural counts them: two sneezes, a burst of sneezes. The same spelling also serves as the verb's present-tense form (she sneezes), and the word in front tells them apart. A number or determiner before it marks the noun. A subject before it marks the verb.

Showing meanings only. Show all 2