Snark is a sharp, mocking style of humor that combines sarcasm with a bit of mean-spiritedness. When someone makes a snarky comment, they're being clever and cutting at the same time, like saying “Oh, great job” when someone drops their lunch tray, or responding to a simple question with “Wow, really brilliant question there.”

The word suggests wit with an edge. Snark has bite to it, going beyond playful teasing. If your friend struggles with a math problem and you say “Having trouble? Shocking,” that's snarky. You're not being openly cruel, but you're not being kind either.

Snark became especially common on the internet, where people write snarky reviews, comments, and posts. A snarky movie review might say something like “The special effects were almost as believable as the acting,” which sounds like a compliment until you realize it's an insult to both.

While snark can be funny, it often leaves people feeling stung. Today, a snark can also mean a person who regularly makes these cutting remarks, though most people use the adjective form: snarky.