snack

American  

[snak] / snæk /

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.

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verb (used without object)

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

   They snacked on tea and cake.

idioms

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

snack British  

/ 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

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verb

1. (intr) to eat a snack

Etymology

Origin of snack

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”

Explanation

A snack is a small serving of food between meals. Enjoy a healthy snack such as apples with peanut butter, or indulge in a bag of chips. After a huge breakfast, you might just want a light snack instead of lunch. You can use snack as a verb too: "After school, I like to snack on fruit and cookies and listen to music." Snack originally meant "snap or bite" in Middle English, usually in the context of a dog's bite. The noun was also used in the 17th century to mean "a portion or share," which led to the now-obsolete phrase "go snacks," meaning "share with someone."

Example Sentences

Sandra Burnell, from Newport, even had an order of service covered in pictures of the instant snack, which she would eat in front of the TV every night.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

“To me, we’re wiping out our natural habitat to grow snack food for export,” Staplin said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Utz Brands and Mondelez are well-positioned for evolving snack preferences, while Hershey faces challenges due to chocolate reliance.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Rather than linger among the motor oil and snack aisles, she retreated to a nearby restaurant until her table was ready.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

“I was about to give up when the snack bar lady started yelling.”

From "Trouble at the Arcade (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #1)" by Franklin W. Dixon

Related Words

• lunch
• morsel
• refreshment
• tea