snag

[ snag ]

/ snæg /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: snag / snagged / snagging on Thesaurus.com

Definition of snag

noun

a tree or part of a tree held fast in the bottom of a river, lake, etc., and forming an impediment or danger to navigation.

a short, projecting stump, as of a branch broken or cut off.

any sharp or rough projection.

a jagged hole, tear, pull, or run in a fabric, as caused by catching on a sharp projection.

any obstacle or impediment.

a stump of a tooth or a projecting tooth; snaggletooth.

verb (used with object), snagged, snag·ging.

to run or catch up on a snag.

to damage by so doing.

to obstruct or impede, as a snag does: He snagged all my efforts.

to grab; seize: to snag the last piece of pie.

verb (used without object), snagged, snag·ging.

to become entangled with some obstacle or hindrance.

to become tangled: This line snags every time I cast.

(of a boat) to strike a snag.

to form a snag.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of snag

First recorded in 1570–80, snag is from the Old Norse word snagi point, projection

OTHER WORDS FROM snag

snaglike, adjectiveun·snagged, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use snag in a sentence

The result is that political and bureaucratic snags have dimmed the glow, for now, of the historic scientific achievement of developing vaccines in record time to protect against a new and deadly disease.
Vaccine rollout gets ‘below an F’ grade|Robert McCartney|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
Fairfax County’s vaccination plan hit a serious snag Monday, when a sudden depletion of Virginia’s vaccine supply forced officials to unexpectedly cancel the scheduled inoculations of roughly 15,000 Fairfax staffers.
Teachers are moving to the front of the vaccine line — but that doesn’t mean all schools will reopen right away|Hannah Natanson, Donna St. George, Perry Stein|January 26, 2021|Washington Post
On the heels of the pandemic to the election cycle, Thanksgiving and Christmas couldn’t come sooner and if you’re in the mood for early holiday shopping, this season is filled with sales and seasonal snags that are almost too good to pass up.
Kick Off Your Holiday Shopping With This Coach Sale|Joe Colucci|November 11, 2020|Essence.com
AstraZeneca Plc’s coronavirus shot could be ready for large-scale vaccinations as early as this year, Chief Executive Officer Pascal Soriot said, dismissing reports of delays and production snags.
AstraZeneca-Oxford COVID vaccine on track for year end, CEO Pascal Soriot says|Bernhard Warner|November 5, 2020|Fortune

That shortened, rounded cable makes snags almost disappear, and the controls built onto the earbuds themselves solve the problem of searching for any sort of control node attached to the aforementioned cable.
Apple's New Powerbeats Are OK, But Design Flaws Keep Them From Greatness|Patrick Lucas Austin|March 27, 2020|Time
The film has already snagged an audience award at Sundance, and will open theatrically on Sept. 12 in New York.
When the Son of Hamas Spied for Israel|Nina Strochlic|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He snagged the best actor award at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival for In the Mood for Love.
Tony Leung on His Journey to Kung Fu Spirituality in ‘The Grandmaster’|Jean Trinh|August 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In reality, Lochte snagged two gold, two silver and one bronze.
Ryan Lochte: Sex, Swimming & More Crazy Things From Reality TV Trailer|Anna Klassen|March 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In 2004 Pete Cabrinha snagged a “bomb,” but realized it only after watching the video.
Top Five Biggest Surfer Waves (Video)|The Daily Beast|November 14, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Bremer also snagged an award from the Minnesota chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists in June.
Leading the Anti-Bachmann Army|David A. Graham|July 19, 2011|DAILY BEAST
It was about twenty feet from him when he snagged it, and it was still twenty feet away.
Bill Bruce on Forest Patrol|Henry Harley Arnold
Directly ahead, the truant paddle had snagged against a log which protruded from the water.
Dan Carter and the Great Carved Face|Mildred A. Wirt
The fish was snagged in the middle of the body and, accordingly, could use all its power against the pull on the line.
Bill Bruce on Forest Patrol|Henry Harley Arnold
It is my guess that the instant you heave alongside you will be snagged with boat hooks by the men on her deck.
Cappy Ricks Retires|Peter B. Kyne
She snagged a piano and pounded out barrelhouse runs in quirky time as I carried the main thread of the movement on a cello.
Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom|Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for snag

snag

/ (snæɡ) /

noun

a difficulty or disadvantagethe snag is that I have nothing suitable to wear

a sharp protuberance, such as a tree stump

a small loop or hole in a fabric caused by a sharp object

engineering a projection that brings to a stop a sliding or rotating component

mainly US and Canadian a tree stump in a riverbed that is dangerous to navigation

US and Canadian a standing dead tree, esp one used as a perch by an eagle

(plural) Australian slang sausages

verb snags, snagging or snagged

(tr) to hinder or impede

(tr) to tear or catch (fabric)

(intr) to develop a snag

(intr) mainly US and Canadian (of a boat) to strike or be damaged by a snag

(tr) mainly US and Canadian to clear (a stretch of water) of snags

(tr) US to seize (an opportunity, benefit, etc)

Derived forms of snag

snaglike, adjective

Word Origin for snag

C16: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse snaghyrndr sharp-pointed, Norwegian snage spike, Icelandic snagi peg

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with snag

snag

see hit a snag.

snag

Definition of snag

Origin of snag

OTHER WORDS FROM snag

Words related to snag

How to use snag in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for snag

Derived forms of snag

Word Origin for snag

Other Idioms and Phrases with snag