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snafu
[ sna-foo, snaf-oo ]
/ snĂŠËfu, ËsnĂŠf u /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
a badly confused or ridiculously muddled situation: A ballot snafu in the election led to a recount.
an error or miscalculation, especially one leading to a confused or muddled situation:After some snafu deleted all my data files, I've finally managed to rebuild everythingâI think!
adjective
Also sna·fued . in disorder; out of control; chaotic: What youâre proposing is a snafu scheme that simply won't work.
verb (used with object), sna·fued, sna·fu·ing.
to throw into disorder; muddle: Losing his passport snafued the whole vacation.
OTHER WORDS FOR snafu
OPPOSITES FOR snafu
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I canât figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Origin of snafu
First recorded in 1940â45; s(ituation) n(ormal): a(ll) f(ucked) u(p); sometimes euphemistically construed as f(ouled) u(p)
Words nearby snafu
snack, snack bar, snackette, snack table, snaffle, snafu, snag, snaggletooth, snaggy, snail, snail cam
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use snafu in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for snafu
snafu
/ (snĂŠËfuË) slang mainly military /
noun
confusion or chaos regarded as the normal state
adjective
(postpositive) confused or muddled up, as usual
verb -fus, -fuing or -fued
(tr) US and Canadian to throw into chaos
Word Origin for snafu
C20: from s (ituation) n (ormal): a (ll) f (ucked or ouled) u (p)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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