snapshot

American  

[snap-shot] / ˈsnæpˌʃɒt /

noun

1. an informal photograph, especially one taken quickly by a handheld camera.

2. Hunting. a quick shot taken without deliberate aim.

3. Informal. a brief appraisal, summary, or profile.

---

verb (used with or without object)

snapshot, snapshotted, snapshotting

1. to photograph informally and quickly.

snapshot British  

/ ˈsnæpˌʃɒt /

noun

1. Often shortened to: snap.  an informal photograph taken with a simple camera

---

Etymology

Origin of snapshot

1800–10 snapshot for def. 2; 1860–65 snapshot for def. 1; snap (in the sense “done suddenly or casually”) + shot ¹

Explanation

A snapshot is a quick photograph taken for fun. Be sure to take lots of snapshots while you're on vacation! Using the word snapshot makes it clear you're not talking about professional photographs or artistic shots you've put some thought into. A snapshot just captures a brief moment in time. You can also use this word to mean "impression or summary." A person's obituary, even if deeply moving, can never be more than a snapshot of their varied, complex life. The original 17th0century meaning of snapshot was "quick shot with a gun at a fast-moving target."

Example Sentences

Bennett has some snapshot memories of the president.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

Any stock screen is only a snapshot, meant to help you with your own research through which you can form your own opinion about a potential investment.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

For now, February’s retail figures stand as a snapshot of an economy that was briefly gathering strength, before war reared its head.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

U.S. jobs data, including the nonfarm payrolls report for March, will offer a snapshot of the jobs market.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

On the bureau was a snapshot of Farmer.

From "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder and Michael French

Related Words

• photo