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.

---

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

---

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

The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation offers a Free Snack Program that provides nutritious meals for youths — newborns to 18-year-olds — at its public parks.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 11, 2026

The fast-food chain’s current offerings include Meal Deals starting at $5, Snack Wraps for $2.99 and buy one-add one-for-$1 specials on certain items.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 11, 2026

Bar Snack in New York’s East Village proves that Jarlsberg dip is best scooped with BBQ potato chips.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 17, 2025

To lure customers back, McDonald’s has been rolling out new products such as McCrispy Strips and Snack Wraps, and launched value deals like the $5 Meal Deal, and Buy One Get One for $1.

From Barron's • Nov. 4, 2025

They were in study hall, and Cal was eating a Snack Pack butterscotch pudding.

From "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell

Related Words

• lunch
• morsel
• refreshment
• tea