Snotty describes someone who acts superior and treats others rudely, as if they're too important to be bothered with ordinary people. A snotty classmate might roll their eyes when you speak or refuse to sit with certain kids at lunch because they don't think those kids are “good enough.”

Over time, it became a way to describe unpleasant behavior: looking down your nose at others, speaking in a condescending tone, or acting like you're better than everyone else.

You might encounter a snotty waiter at a fancy restaurant who treats you like you don't belong, or a snotty character in a book who refuses to associate with the protagonist because of their family background. The word captures that combination of rudeness and superiority that makes someone genuinely unpleasant to be around.

When someone acts snotty, they show contempt or disdain for others, going beyond mere unfriendliness. It's the attitude that says “I'm too good for you,” and it rarely wins anyone real friends or respect.