snack

[snak]

noun

1. a small portion of food or drink or a light meal, especially one eaten between regular meals.

2. a share or portion.

3. Slang.,  a sexy and physically attractive person; hottie.

4. Australian Slang.,  something easily done.

verb (used without object)

1. to have a snack or light meal, especially between regular meals.

   They snacked on tea and cake.

snack

/ snæk /

noun

1. a light quick meal eaten between or in place of main meals

2. a sip or bite

3. rare,  a share

4. informal,  a very easy task

verb

1. (intr) to eat a snack

Word History and Origins

Origin of snack¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb snacchen, snac(c)he, snak “(of a dog) to snap at, bite, seize”; Middle English noun snacche, snak(e); further origin uncertain; compare Middle Dutch snacken “(of a dog) to snap”: Norwegian dialect snaka “(of an animal) to snatch”

Word History and Origins

Origin of snack¹

C15: probably from Middle Dutch snacken, variant of snappen to _snap

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go snack / snacks, to share profits or returns.

Example Sentences

I can’t explain why this breezy comic caper is such a dependable midnight snack for me.

From Los Angeles Times

Meaty: This is your chance to make the dish feel like dinner, not just a snack.

From Salon

Easy grab-and-go tailgate snack that you can throw in a plastic bag or container and bring straight to the game.

From Salon

“I feel like I didn’t pack enough snacks, but I’m gonna be thirsty, and that my waist is … it’s really tight,” he jokes.

From Los Angeles Times

It may have been the wine and it may have been curiosity, but another afternoon snack was on order.

From Salon

Related Words

• lunch 
• morsel 
• refreshment 
• tea