snapped

American

[snapt] / snæpt /

adjective

broken suddenly and with a sharp cracking sound.

The snapped twig startled the animal, and it darted to safety.
photographed, especially quickly or spontaneously.

A hastily snapped photo captured the moment.
Digital Technology.
1. (of a QR code or other source) scanned using a smartphone or other digital device in order to read the encoded text or URL and browse the hyperlinked web page.
  
  The URL of the snapped QR code was only a blank page with no info, just a silly movie clip.
2. being or relating to an icon or other displayed item moved instantly and automatically into alignment with a grid or into a predetermined position, as to a corner or edge of the screen.
  
  A snapped app occupies a narrower region of the screen, freeing up the remaining screen area.
uttered quickly and sharply, as a command, retort, rebuke, etc..

"None of your business!" was the snapped reply.
closed, opened, placed, thrown, applied, etc., with a sharp, quick sound or movement.

A snapped shot hit the goalie in the net and was knocked away.
The tip of a snapped whip would’ve hurt like a knife.
Football. (of the ball) put into play by tossing it back to a member of the offensive backfield, especially from between the legs when bent over double.

A punter receives the snapped ball and punts it to the opposing team in a way that limits any field position advantage.
(of the fingers) making a sudden sharp sound by being pressed against each other and then released sideways.

They arrogantly expect the rest of the world to jump to their snapped fingers.

verb

the simple past tense and past participle of snap.

Etymology

Origin of snapped

snap ( def. ) + -ed ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On board, people snapped selfies with the cub before reuniting it with its mom.

From Los Angeles Times • May 2, 2026

Capt Jack Hathaway snapped the image during an orbit on Saturday and sent it to the vice chancellor of Cranfield University in Bedfordshire the following day.

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

His firm snapped up tens of millions of dollars worth of stocks, including Tesla, Amazon and Oracle.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

That same year, he snapped up two bayfront houses in Coconut Grove for $106.9 million, before also buying up multiple parcels of land on Star Island for a combined $169 million.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

J.W. hunkered in my lap and snapped at lightning bugs.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023