snap
[ snap ]
/ snæp /
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.
Photography. 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.
Photography. to take a photograph of, especially quickly.
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.
Photography. a snapshot.
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.
a snap bean.
Informal. a snapdragon.
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 or offhand: a snap judgment.
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.
Words nearby snap
snakeskin, snakestone, snakeweed, snakewood, snaky, snap, snap at, snap back, snap bean, snap brim, snap course
Idioms for 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 23).
snap out of, to free oneself from; recover from: It took him a long time to snap out of his grief.
snap someone's head off. snap(def 47).
Origin of snap
1485–95; < Dutch or Low German snappen to bite, seize
OTHER WORDS FROM snap
snap·less, adjectivesnap·pa·ble, adjectivesnap·ping·ly, adverbWORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH snap
schnapps snapsDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for snapping
They are always suspended over a precipice, dangling by a slender thread that shows every sign of snapping.
An absurd new app employs sounds and pictures to con babies into snapping their own headshots.
Introducing the Internet’s New Bundle of Joy: The Baby Selfie|Charlotte Lytton|February 25, 2014|DAILY BEASTMrs. Hoyt would give you the base of her palm against your forehead very hard, snapping a few small bones in your neck.
Mel Brooks Is Always Funny and Often Wise in This 1975 Playboy Interview|Alex Belth|February 16, 2014|DAILY BEASTA line of five America flags was snapping in the icy wind outside the rental office.
In New Jersey, There’s No Exit for Chris Christie’s Bridge Trolls|Michael Daly|January 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He carried it everywhere, snapping photos of nearly everything and everyone he encountered.
Giancarlo Giammetti’s Private Life Captured in “Private GG”|Erin Cunningham|October 25, 2013|DAILY BEASTI can't seem to let it go to you—as though when I mail it I am snapping one more bond that still seems to hold us together.
Athalie|Robert W. ChambersThe guitar was the music, with the usual accompaniments of singing, and snapping the fingers during the dance.
A Five Years' Residence in Buenos Ayres|George Thomas LoveMinx rode horseback as before, while Spot went afoot, jumping and barking, and snapping up a mouthful of snow every few minutes.
The coyote doubled to evade the snapping jaws of the foremost dog, and as he turned another struck him.
The Yellow Horde|Hal G. EvartsWith a slide that would have done credit to any baseball player, the entomologist catapulted on his chest past the snapping peril.
The Raid on the Termites|Paul Ernst
British Dictionary definitions for snapping
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, adjectiveWord 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
Medicine definitions for snapping
snap
[ snăp ]
n.
A short sharp sound; a click. Used especially of cardiac sounds.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.