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British

snap

[ snap ]

/ snæp /

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See synonyms for snap on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), snapped, snap·ping.

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 by at).

to utter a quick, sharp sentence or speech, especially a command, reproof, retort, etc. (often followed by at).

to be radiant; sparkle; flash, as the eyes.

verb (used with object), snapped, snap·ping.

to seize with or take, buy, or obtain as with a quick bite or grab (followed by up or off): 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.

noun

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.

snapshot (def. 1).

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 (def. 1).

British. a packed lunch, as that carried by a worker or traveler.

adjective

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 judgment;a snap election called years ahead of schedule.

easy or simple.

adverb

in a brisk, sudden manner.

interjection

(an exclamation of surprise, wonder, pleasure, regret, disappointment, etc.): Oh snap! I forgot we had a test today!

Verb Phrases

snap to,

to come to attention: The troops snapped to when the colonel walked in.
to shape up: If you don't snap to and study, you'll flunk the course.

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His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Idioms about snap

not give / care a snap of one's fingers for, to regard with indifference; treat lightly.Also not give / care a snap .

snap one's fingers at. finger (def. 25).

snap out of, to free oneself from; recover from: It took him a long time to snap out of his grief.

snap / bite someone's head off. bite (def. 33).

Origin of snap

First recorded in 1485–95; from Middle Dutch or Middle Low German snappen “to bite, seize”

OTHER WORDS FROM snap

snap·less, adjectivesnap·pa·ble, adjectivesnap·ping·ly, adverb

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH snap

schnapps, snaps

Words nearby snap

snakeskin, snakestone, snakeweed, snakewood, snaky, snap, snap at, snapback, snap bean, snap brim, Snapchat

Other definitions for snap (2 of 2)

SNAP

[ snap ]

/ snæp /

noun

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: a federal program for low-income Americans that provides them with electronically deposited benefits to pay for food, as at grocery stores or markets.

See also food stamp.

Origin of SNAP

First recorded in 2005–10

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT 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.

Where does snap come from?

The first records of snap come from around the 1490s. It comes from the Middle Dutch or Middle Low German word snappen meaning “to bite” or “to seize.” Both of these senses are still used today. If a dog snaps at you, it is trying to bite you. If you snap up a good deal, you seize it really fast.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to snap?

snapless (adjective)
snappable (adjective)
snappingly (adverb)

What are some synonyms for snap?

What are some words that share a root or word element with snap?

What are some words that often get used in discussing snap?

How is snap used in real life?

Snap is a commonly used word. Several of its meanings are related to breaking or cracking.

still can't belive that my bike basically snapped in half while I was on my way to work this morning

— Elon Tusk (@josh_mair) November 21, 2020

Wish I could snap my fingers and have the whole house cleaned. I need a smart house 🏡.

— ME (@lookN4substance) November 21, 2020

Day 5: elevator is still broken
Plan of action: design parachute with reversible technology. Jumping on and off the 6 floor will be a snap.

— taylor phillips (@philltay000) February 2, 2015

Try using snap!

If something is a snap, that means that it is:

A. hard
B. small
C. confusing
D. easy

How to use snap in a sentence

They were snapped before the spacecraft officially began collecting science data.
Close-up of the sun reveals ‘campfires’|Lisa Grossman|August 28, 2020|Science News For Students
That proved useful in early 2019, when SubX forecasts foresaw, weeks before it happened, the severe cold snap that hit the United States in late January and early February.
Improved three-week weather forecasts could save lives from disaster|Alexandra Witze|August 27, 2020|Science News
People stuck at home have been snapping up them up while the number of the consoles produced has tumbled because of shuttered factories.
Gamers, get ready: Nintendo’s Switch should be available again soon. But maybe not for long|dzanemorris|August 26, 2020|Fortune
The scientists used the Very Large Telescope in Chile to snap the photo.
A weird cousin of our solar system is caught on camera|Lisa Grossman|August 26, 2020|Science News For Students

He trekked to a mountaintop in Wyoming with a special camera to snap polarized pictures of the corona just as the moon blocked the sun.
Check out the first-ever map of the solar corona’s magnetic field|Lisa Grossman|August 21, 2020|Science News
There is just no way of selling this picture with an innocent defense like, “she just asked for a snap.”
Buckingham Palace Disputes Sex Allegations Against Prince ‘Randy Andy’|Tom Sykes|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
For days, the ruble has been falling and salaries shrinking; shoppers have rushed to snap up TV sets and washing machines.
After His Disastrous Annual Press Conference, Putin Needs A Hug|Anna Nemtsova|December 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After curing the elderly of their semi-suicidal depression, winning the White House must seem like a snap.
Ben Carson’s Bizarrely Serious, Seriously Bizarre Campaign Crew|Olivia Nuzzi|November 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That Snapchat deceptively told its users that the sender would be notified if a recipient took a screenshot of a snap.
‘The Snappening’ Is Real: 90,000 Private Photos and 9,000 Hacked Snapchat Videos Leak Online|Marlow Stern|October 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It means to be all the things that the individuals he turns into storytellers on Snap naturally are, in all their marginality.
NPR’s Smooth-Talking Millennial Whisperer|Batya Ungar-Sargon|October 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then he closed the spring with a snap, and she let him pass the chain over her hand once more.
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
You know the fable about the dog who dropped his meat in the water, trying to snap at its reflection?
Rosemary in Search of a Father|C. N. Williamson
It was the only thing I needed to snap my last tie with England and brace me for the struggle in America.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
The only thing for you to do is to snap your fingers at everything, as we do out here, and see nothing in the future but success.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
He gave to every syllable the value of a rap and certain words he terminated with an audible snap of his teeth.
Dope|Sax Rohmer

British Dictionary definitions for snap

snap

/ (snæp) /

verb snaps, snapping or snapped

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

(when intr, often foll by at) 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

snap one's fingers at informal

to dismiss with contempt
to defy

snap out of it informal to recover quickly, esp from depression, anger, or illness

noun

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 biscuitginger 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

British dialect food, esp a packed lunch taken to work

British 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 warninga snap decision

(modifier) closed or fastened with a snap

adverb

with a snap

interjection

cards the word called while playing snap
an exclamation used to draw attention to the similarity of two things

See also snap up

Derived forms of snap

snapless, adjectivesnappable, adjective

Word Origin for snap

C15: from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch snappen to seize; related to Old Norse snapa to snuffle

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