Definition

1. Verb:

   • To shout or laugh at someone or something in a mocking, scornful, or derisive manner. This action expresses strong disapproval, contempt, or ridicule.
   • To speak or call out to someone with insulting or sarcastic remarks intended to show disrespect.

2. Noun:

   • A rude, mocking, or scornful shout or remark directed at someone or something.

Usage

• Verb: The verb "jeer" is typically used to describe the action of a crowd or group expressing derision. It is often followed by the preposition "at" when specifying the target of the mockery.
• Noun: The noun "jeer" refers to the specific insulting shout or comment itself. It is often used in the plural form ("jeers") to describe a series of such remarks from a crowd.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The audience began to jeer when the politician failed to answer the question.
  • Fans jeered at the opposing team's goalkeeper after he missed an easy save.
• Noun:
  • The performer walked off the stage, ignoring the jeers from the crowd.
  • A single loud jeer echoed through the hall, followed by an awkward silence.

Advanced Usage

• "to jeer someone off the stage": To mock someone so aggressively with shouts and insults that they are forced to leave a public performance or speaking engagement.
  • The comedian was so unfunny that the audience jeered him off the stage.
• "to meet with jeers": To be received with scornful shouting and mockery.
  • The unpopular proposal was met with jeers from the assembly.

Variants and Related Words

• Jeering (adj/n): Describing the act or sound of jeering.
  • The jeering crowd made it difficult to hear. (Adjective)
  • The constant jeering finally made her cry. (Noun - Gerund)
• Jeerer (n): A person who jeers.
  • The main jeerer was escorted out of the stadium by security.

Synonyms

• Verb: Taunt, mock, scoff, deride, heckle, ridicule.
• Noun: Taunt, gibe, scoff, catcall, boo, insult.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Jeer at: This is the standard construction for using the verb with a direct object.
  • It is cruel to jeer at someone for their mistakes.

Related Idioms

• "to hurl jeers": To shout insults aggressively.
  • Protesters hurled jeers at the passing motorcade.
• "a chorus of jeers": A loud, unified sound of many people jeering simultaneously.
  • His announcement was answered by a chorus of jeers.

Noun

1. showing your contempt by derision

Verb

1. laugh at with contempt and derision
   • The crowd jeered at the speaker