to make a sudden, sharp, distinct sound; crack, as a whip; crackle.
to click, as a mechanism or the jaws or teeth coming together.
to move, strike, shut, catch, etc., with a sharp sound, as a door, lid, or lock.
to break suddenly, especially with a sharp, cracking sound, as something slender and brittle.
The branch snapped.
to act or move with quick or abrupt motions of the body.
to snap to attention.
to take a photograph, especially without formal posing of the subject.
to make a quick or sudden bite or grab (often followed byat ).
to utter a quick, sharp sentence or speech, especially a command, reproof, retort, etc. (often followed byat ).
to be radiant; sparkle; flash, as the eyes.
to seize with or take, buy, or obtain as with a quick bite or grab (followed by up oroff ).
The bargains were snapped up.
to secure, judge, vote, etc., hastily.
They snapped the bill through Congress.
to cause to make a sudden, sharp sound.
to snap one's fingers.
to crack (a whip).
to bring, strike, shut, open, operate, etc., with a sharp sound or movement.
to snap a lid down.
to address or interrupt (a person) quickly and sharply.
to say or utter (words, a command, a retort, etc.) in a quick, sharp manner.
to snap complaints.
to break suddenly, especially with a cracking sound.
to snap a stick in half.
to take a photograph of, especially quickly.
Digital Technology. to move (an icon, line, window, or other displayed item) instantly and automatically into alignment with a grid or into a predetermined position, as to a corner or edge of the screen.
Digital Technology. to use a smartphone or other digital device to scan (a QR code or other source) in order to read the encoded text or URL and to browse the hyperlinked website or web page.
Building Trades. to transfer (a line) to a surface by means of a chalk line.
Football. to put (the ball) into play by tossing it back to the quarterback or other member of the offensive backfield, especially from between the legs when bent over double and facing the line of scrimmage; center.
Hunting. to fire (a shot) quickly, especially without raising the gun to aim from the eye.
a quick, sudden action or movement, as the flick of a whip or the breaking of a twig.
a short, sharp sound, as that caused by breaking a twig or closing a latch.
a catch or fastener that closes by pressure and clicks together.
Informal. briskness, vigor, or energy.
That song has a lot of snap.
a quick, sharp speech or manner of speaking.
He uttered his commands with a snap.
a quick or sudden bite or grab, as at something.
The fish ate with little snaps.
something obtained by or as by biting or grabbing.
a snap of food.
a brittle cookie.
a short spell or period, as of cold weather.
an unexpected cold snap.
Informal. an easy, profitable, or agreeable position, piece of work, or the like.
This job is a snap.
Football. the act or an instance of snapping the ball.
Informal. snapdragon.
British. a packed lunch, as that carried by a worker or traveler.
fastening or closing with a click or snap, as a device fitted with a spring catch.
a snap lock.
made, done, taken, etc., suddenly, offhand, or without warning: a snap election called years ahead of schedule.
a snap judgment;
a snap election called years ahead of schedule.
easy or simple.
to break or cause to break suddenly, esp with a sharp sound
to make or cause to make a sudden sharp cracking sound
(intr) to give way or collapse suddenly, esp from strain
to move, close, etc, or cause to move, close, etc, with a sudden sharp sound
to move or cause to move in a sudden or abrupt way
(intr; often foll by at or up) to seize something suddenly or quickly
to bite at (something) bringing the jaws rapidly together
to speak (words) sharply or abruptly
(intr) (of eyes) to flash or sparkle
to take a snapshot of (something)
(intr) hunting to fire a quick shot without taking deliberate aim
(tr) American football to put (the ball) into play by sending it back from the line of scrimmage to a teammate
informal
to dismiss with contempt
to defy
informal to recover quickly, esp from depression, anger, or illness
the act of breaking suddenly or the sound produced by a sudden breakage
a sudden sharp sound, esp of bursting, popping, or cracking
a catch, clasp, or fastener that operates with a snapping sound
a sudden grab or bite
the sudden release of something such as elastic thread
a brisk movement of the thumb against one or more fingers
a thin crisp biscuit
ginger snaps
informal See snapshot
informal vigour, liveliness, or energy
informal a task or job that is easy or profitable to do
a short spell or period, esp of cold weather
dialect food, esp a packed lunch taken to work
a card game in which the word snap is called when two cards of equal value are turned up on the separate piles dealt by each player
American football the start of each play when the centre passes the ball back from the line of scrimmage to a teammate
(modifier) done on the spur of the moment, without consideration or warning
a snap decision
(modifier) closed or fastened with a snap
What is a basic definition of snap? Snap is a verb that means to break something suddenly. Snap is also used to mean to cause something to make a sharp noise. Snap is used informally as a noun to mean something is easy. Snap has many other senses as both a verb and a noun. Snap refers to something breaking without warning, especially if it makes a loud noise. Real-life examples: Tree limbs may snap during a storm. When a limb breaks, it usually does so loudly. You may snap your pencil into two pieces when struggling with a math problem. When you’re feeling generous, you may snap a chocolate bar in half to share with a friend. Used in a sentence: He snapped the cane in half over his knee. Snap is also used to mean to cause something to make a sudden, loud noise. Real-life examples: This sense of snap almost always refers to a noise a person can make by quickly rubbing their fingers together. An impatient boss may snap their fingers to get workers to move faster or your teacher may snap their fingers to get the class’s attention. A whip or rope may also be snapped by flicking it quickly so that it makes a loud cracking noise. Used in a sentence: I don’t know how to snap my fingers. Snap is used informally as a noun to mean something doesn’t take much effort or pays a lot of money for not much work. The word breeze is used informally to mean this same thing. Real-life examples: Some things that could be considered a snap include a very easy test, babysitting a child that sleeps the entire time, or getting paid to do something you were going to do anyway. Used in a sentence: After studying hard last night, that test was a snap and I passed it easily.
First recorded in 1485–95; from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German snappen “to bite, seize”
First recorded in 2005–10
Oh, snap! When something snaps, it breaks or separates suddenly, often with a cracking sound. A snap can also be a fastener on clothes. And if you like a song, you can snap your fingers to the beat or snap a selfie of yourself dancing. The verb snap is useful for many things that make a similar sharp sound, like when you snap your lunchbox shut, snap your fingers, or snap a whip. An animal's quick, strong bite is also a snap. As a noun, it can mean "fastener" or "the sound of a snap." A snap judgment is a decision you make almost instantaneously, and a cold snap is a short period of bitter weather.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This pattern suggests that forcing certain genes to remain continuously active can place enough pressure on the DNA to cause it to snap.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 2, 2026
Bennett has never taken a regular-season snap for the Rams, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2023 draft after he led Georgia to two national titles.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 27, 2026
For years, tourists flocked to a small triangular park out front to snap a selfie with the full structure behind them.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
Pension funds and insurers that need to match the durations of their liabilities with similar assets snap up the longest-dated bonds even when yields are absurdly low.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
“No, that’s not what I’m saying,” I snap.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
As a community health scholar, I’ve been following these and other changes to SNAP, the largest and most important government program for helping Americans get enough to eat.
From Salon ● May 22, 2026
Enrollment in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, has decreased by nearly 3.5 million people since stricter eligibility requirements were enacted last July, federal data show.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026
There’s also a general sense of unease around changes to SNAP.
From Slate ● Apr. 19, 2026
Hobbs asked for an additional $48.4 million in her 2027 budget proposal to help the department administer SNAP.
From Salon ● Apr. 9, 2026
There is a sudden loud SNAP, like the sound of a bullwhip.
From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman
Competition is fierce for professional photographers at Beijing's tourist hotspots, including a scenic lake where women in flowy traditional robes pose for snaps to share on Xiaohongshu, China's massively popular lifestyle app.
From Barron's ● Jul. 13, 2026
The idea is to use cumulative firepower and wide-open spacing to stretch any defense—even one led by the great wall of Wembanyama—until it snaps.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 7, 2026
When exposed to a trigger -- such as a small amount of heat or a catalyst -- the molecule snaps back into its original form, releasing the stored energy as heat.
From Science Daily ● May 15, 2026
The scene where Jamie, played by Cooper, snaps at Doherty's psychologist, is nominated for the memorable moment accolade - the only award to be voted for by the public.
From BBC ● May 9, 2026
It takes me three long seconds to figure out what she’s talking about—but then it snaps into place, and I realize: Darrell must’ve asked Breanna to be his girlfriend.
From "King and the Dragonflies" by Kacen Callender
During a U.S. cabinet meeting on Friday, Reuters snapped a “To Do” list on Bessent’s desk notepad that contained a solitary entry: “Buy Japanese yen $5-10 bill.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 3, 2026
Sandisk stock is the top gainer in the S&P 500 on Thursday and snapped a four-day losing streak.
From Barron's ● Jul. 31, 2026
None of the eight met the required dimensions and mechanical strength, while some pins snapped off under force during tests.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
She snapped photos of him fleeing the scene and posted them on social media.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026
“They’ve done fine for all these years,” I snapped back.
From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney
What began with local riders snapping each other to post online exploded last year as tourism to the mega-city of 23 million spiked.
From Barron's ● Aug. 2, 2026
According to Yale paleontologists, Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa had a short snout, a heavily reinforced skull, and enlarged jaw muscles suited for snapping shut on large prey.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 30, 2026
Shares of General Motors rose in early Tuesday trading after the automobile maker beat second-quarter earnings expectations and raised its full-year outlook, snapping a four-quarter streak of revenue declines.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026
Eurozone industrial production fell 0.2% in May, snapping a three-month streak of resilient activity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
People would come up the path to the house with bags of fresh-caught shrimp or a bushel of snapping blue crabs or a few whiting just off the fishing pole.
From "Root Magic" by Eden Royce
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
