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snafu
[ sna-foo, snaf-oo ]
/ snæˈfu, ˈsnæf 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.
adjective Rare.
in disorder; out of control; chaotic: a snafu scheme that simply won't work.
verb (used with object), sna·fued, sna·fu·ing.Rare.
to throw into disorder; muddle: Losing his passport snafued the whole vacation.
OTHER WORDS FOR snafu
QUIZ
ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?
We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.
Question 1 of 8
Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?
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Origin of snafu
First recorded in 1940–45; 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. 2021
How to use snafu in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for snafu
snafu
/ (snæˈfuː) 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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