sneaked
verb, past
moved secretly (traditional form)
“He sneaked into the cinema.”
Spelling variants
sneaked vs snuck
Both are past tenses of sneak. Sneaked is the traditional form and the safe choice in formal writing; snuck is standard in everyday American English.
Quick test: Formal or British? Sneaked. Casual American? Snuck is fine.
snuck
verb, past
moved secretly (newer, mainly American)
“She snuck a cookie from the jar.”
Try it: which word fits?
Drop each word into the blank. The explanation tells you why one works and the other doesn't.
(formal) The intruder ______ past the guards.
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Questions about sneaked vs snuck
What is the difference between sneaked and snuck?
Both are past tenses of sneak. Sneaked is the traditional form and the safe choice in formal writing; snuck is standard in everyday American English.
How do I remember sneaked vs snuck?
Formal or British? Sneaked. Casual American? Snuck is fine.
Are there exceptions?
Merriam-Webster lists snuck as a standard variant. Garner's Modern English Usage notes it has become very common in American English but is still avoided by some editors.
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