Part of speech: Noun

Definition: A lascivious, knowing, or wanton look.

Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Found in: Line 6 of “”All American Girl,”” by Julia Alvarez: “trying to match my face with words in my new language: grimace, leer, disgust, disdain…”

Knowing the definition of the word leer help me understand the rout the speaker took in the poem, the reader can understand that the speaker isn’t speaking in a positive manner towards American culture.