snapper

American  

[snap-er] / ˈsnæp ər /

noun

plural

snapper,

plural

snappers, snappers

1. any of several large marine food fishes of the family Lutjanidae.

2. any of various other fishes, as the bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix.

3. snapping turtle.

4. Informal. a person in charge of a group of workers.

5. a tuft or knot of cotton, horsehair, hemp, etc., at the tip of a whip's lash; cracker; popper.

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snapper British  

/ ˈsnæpə /

noun

1. any large sharp-toothed percoid food fish of the family Lutjanidae of warm and tropical coastal regions See also red snapper

2. a sparid food fish, Chrysophrys auratus, of Australia and New Zealand, that has a pinkish body covered with blue spots

3. another name for bluefish snapping turtle

4. a person or thing that snaps

5. informal a person who takes snapshots; photographer

6. informal a baby

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Etymology

Origin of snapper

First recorded in 1525–35; snap + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Gardner’s kids, Lucca and Golden — elementary school students with a passion for ginger beer — were Whipper Snapper and Lil Deputy Doo-Doo Diaper, respectively.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2025

That pride in her Southern roots is evident throughout Southern Get-Togethers and on the KBC menu, where dishes like Snapper Pontchartrain showcase a "perfect marriage of classic, rich cuisine rooted in Southern ingredients."

From Salon • Mar. 6, 2025

But his family eventually embrace the idea of a new tradition, and even enlist the help of Snapper to open their presents on Christmas morning.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2023

He initially cast Mr. Hasselhoff as Snapper Foster on “The Young and the Restless” in 1975.

From New York Times • Feb. 2, 2023

On hailing the Snapper, Needham came on shore in the boat.

From The Three Lieutenants by Webb, Archibald

Related Words

• tortoise