Snores

/snɔːrz/ verb

Definition

Makes loud breathing sounds while sleeping; can also be a noun describing those sounds themselves.

Etymology

From Middle English and Dutch 'snore,' likely imitative in origin—the word mimics the actual sound a sleeping person makes. It entered English around the 15th century as people began documenting sleep sounds.

Kelly Says

Snoring is actually an onomatopoeia—the word sounds like what it describes! About 45% of adults snore at least occasionally, and it's one of the few bodily sounds we've given a word that mirrors its exact sound. Ancient people had different words for snoring in different languages, all trying to mimic the noise.

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