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

On the lunch menu: red snapper the captain caught that morning.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

Long snapper Jake McQuaide, a 15th-year pro who was part of McVay’s first four seasons, was signed at midseason.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2026

The Rams also appear to be benefiting from experienced snapper Jake McQuaide, who replaced Alex Ward.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 28, 2025

When I was 13, my mom and I went to eat snapper soup at Bookbinder’s in Philadelphia.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 18, 2025

It must have been a snapper that came up in the night when he heard the noise that awakened him; she must have come then and laid the eggs.

From "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen

Related Words

• tortoise