"Sneaked" Vs "Snuck" - What's the Difference

English is full of words that cause debates, and one of the sneakiest is the past tense of sneak. Should you say “I sneaked into the room” or “I snuck into the room”?

Midoo AI is here to clear up the confusion so you don’t have to second-guess yourself the next time you write or speak.

Sneaked – The Traditional Form

Sneaked is the older and more traditional past tense of “sneak.” It follows the regular verb pattern: add -ed to the base word.

It’s considered more formal and is preferred in British English and formal writing.

Examples of “sneaked”

• She sneaked into the classroom late.
• He sneaked a look at the answers.
• The cat sneaked past the dog.
• I sneaked some chocolate from the fridge.
• They sneaked out of the party without saying goodbye.

Snuck – The Modern Form

Snuck started appearing in American English in the 1800s as an irregular form. Over time, it became popular in informal speech and is now widely accepted in American English.

It has a slightly more casual, conversational tone than “sneaked.”

Examples of “snuck”

• She snuck out after curfew.
• He snuck his phone under the desk.
• We snuck into the theater without tickets.
• The dog snuck food off the table.
• They snuck away during the meeting.

Which One Should You Use?

Both are correct! The choice depends on style, tone, and audience:

• Use sneaked if you want to sound formal, traditional, or if you’re writing for a British audience.
• Use snuck if you’re speaking informally, writing fiction, or appealing to an American audience.

Many style guides (like the AP Stylebook) accept snuck as standard now, though sneaked is still more common in formal writing.

Quick Comparison Table

FAQs

Is “snuck” wrong?

No—it’s widely accepted, especially in American English.

Which one is older?

“Sneaked” is older and follows standard verb rules.

Do dictionaries list both?

Yes. Most modern dictionaries include “sneaked” and “snuck” as correct past tense forms.

Which one should I use in an essay?

Stick to sneaked in academic or professional writing.

Do British speakers ever use “snuck”?

Yes, but it’s less common. British English still leans toward “sneaked.”

Final Thoughts

The past tense of sneak can be either sneaked or snuck. Both are correct—the difference lies in tradition vs. modern usage, and formal vs. informal tone.

So, if you want to play it safe, go with sneaked. But if you’re feeling casual (and a little rebellious), snuck works just fine too.