Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense snaps, present participle snapping, past tense, past participle snapped
1. verb
If something snaps or if you snap it, it breaks suddenly, usually with a sharp cracking noise.
He shifted his weight and a twig snapped. [VERB]
The brake pedal had just snapped off. [VERB adverb/preposition]
She gripped the pipe with both hands, trying to snap it in half. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
[Also VERB noun]
Synonyms: break, split, crack, separate More Synonyms of snap
Snap is also a noun.
Every minute or so I could hear a snap, a crack and a crash as another tree wentdown.
2. verb
If you snap something into a particular position, or if it snaps into that position, it moves quickly into that position, with a sharp sound.
He snapped the notebook shut. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
He snapped the cap on his ballpoint. [VERB noun adverb/preposition]
The bag snapped open. [VERB adverb]
Synonyms: pop, click, crackle More Synonyms of snap
Snap is also a noun.
He shut the book with a snap and stood up.
3. verb
If you snap your fingers, you make a sharp sound by moving your middle finger quickly across your thumb, forexample in order to accompany music or to order someone to do something.
She had millions of listeners snapping their fingers to her first single. [VERB noun]
He snapped his fingers, and Wilson produced a sheet of paper. [VERB noun]
She snapped her fingers at a passing waiter. [VERB noun]
Snap is also a noun.
I could obtain with the snap of my fingers anything I chose. [+ of]
4. verb
If someone snapsat you, they speak to you in a sharp, unfriendly way.
'Of course I don't know her,' Roger snapped. [VERB with quote]
I'm sorry, Casey, I didn't mean to snap at you like that. [VERB + at]
Synonyms: speak sharply, bark, lash out at, flash More Synonyms of snap
5. verb
If someone snaps, or if something snaps inside them, they suddenly stop being calm and become very angry because the situation has become too tense or too difficult for them.
He finally snapped when she prevented their children from visiting him one weekend. [VERB]
For the first and only time Grant's self-control snapped. [VERB]
Then something seemed to snap in me. I couldn't endure any more. [VERB]
Synonyms: lose your temper, crack, lose it [informal], freak [informal] More Synonyms of snap
6. verb
If an animal such as a dog snapsat you, it opens and shuts its jaws quickly near you, as if it were going to bite you.
His teeth clicked as he snapped at my ankle. [VERB + at]
The poodle yapped and snapped. [VERB]
Synonyms: bite at, bite, nip More Synonyms of snap
7. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A snap decision or action is one that is taken suddenly, often without careful thought.
I think this is too important for a snap decision.
It's important not to make snap judgments.
The opposition is worried that a snap election will be held before they can get organised.
8. countable noun
A snap is a photograph.
[informal]
...a snap my mother took last year.
Synonyms: photograph, photo, picture, shot More Synonyms of snap
9. verb
If you snap someone or something, you take a photograph of them.
[informal]
He was the first ever non-British photographer to be invited to snap a royal. [VERB noun]
10. uncountable noun
Snap is a simple British card game in which the players take turns to put cards down on a pile, andtry to be the first to shout 'snap' when two cards with the same number or picture are put down.
11. exclamation
You can say 'Snap!' as an expression of surprise when you realize that two things are the same or very similar, for example if you meet a friend wearing the same shirt as you.
[British, spoken]
12. countable noun
A snap is the same as a snap fastener.
[US]
13. See also cold snap
Phrasal verbs:
See snap out of
See snap up
More Synonyms of snap
snap in British English
(snæp)
verbWord forms: snaps, snapping or snapped
1.
to break or cause to break suddenly, esp with a sharp sound
2.
to make or cause to make a sudden sharp cracking sound
3. (intransitive)
to give way or collapse suddenly, esp from strain
4.
to move, close, etc, or cause to move, close, etc, with a sudden sharp sound
5.
to move or cause to move in a sudden or abrupt way
6. (intr; often foll by at or up)
to seize something suddenly or quickly
7. (whenintr, often foll by at)
to bite at (something) bringing the jaws rapidly together
8.
to speak (words) sharply or abruptly
9. (intransitive)
(of eyes) to flash or sparkle
10.
to take a snapshot of (something)
11. (intransitive) hunting
to fire a quick shot without taking deliberate aim
12. (transitive) American football
to put (the ball) into play by sending it back from the line of scrimmage to a teammate
13. snap one's fingers at
14. snap out of it
noun
15.
the act of breaking suddenly or the sound produced by a sudden breakage
16.
a sudden sharp sound, esp of bursting, popping, or cracking
17.
a catch, clasp, or fastener that operates with a snapping sound
18.
a sudden grab or bite
19.
the sudden release of something such as elastic thread
20.
a brisk movement of the thumb against one or more fingers
21.
a thin crisp biscuit
ginger snaps
22. informal snapshot
23. informal
vigour, liveliness, or energy
24. informal
a task or job that is easy or profitable to do
25.
a short spell or period, esp of cold weather
26. British dialect
food, esp a packed lunch taken to work
27. 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
28. American football
the start of each play when the centre passes the ball back from the line of scrimmage to ateammate
29. (modifier)
done on the spur of the moment, without consideration or warning
a snap decision
30. (modifier)
closed or fastened with a snap
adverb
31.
with a snap
exclamation
32.
a. cards
the word called while playing snap
b.
an exclamation used to draw attention to the similarity of two things
Derived forms
snapless (ˈsnapless)
adjective
snappable (ˈsnappable)
adjective
Word origin
C15: from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch snappen to seize; related to Old Norse snapa to snuffle
SNAP in American English
(snæp)
noun
a small nuclear power source designed to provide electricity for satellites, remote automatic weather stations, etc.
Word origin
s(ystems for) n(uclear) a(uxiliary) p(ower)
snap in American English
(snæp)
verb intransitiveWord forms: snapped or ˈsnapping
1.
to bring the jaws together sharply; bite suddenly
often with at
a fish snaps at bait
2.
to snatch or grasp quickly or eagerly
with at
to snap at a chance
3.
to speak sharply, abruptly, or irritably
often with at
4.
to break, part, or be released suddenly, esp. with a sharp, cracking sound
5.
to give way suddenly under strain, as nerves, resistance, etc.
6.
to make a sudden, sharp cracking or clicking sound, as a whip
7.
a.
to close, fasten, go into place, etc. with a snapping sound
the lock snapped shut
b.
to become closed or fastened by means of a snap (sense 24)
8.
to move or act suddenly and smartly
to snap to attention
9.
to appear to flash or sparkle, as in anger
said of the eyes
verb transitive
10.
to grasp or get suddenly with or as with a bite; snatch
often with up
11.
to break or sever suddenly or with a snapping sound
12.
to speak or utter sharply or harshly, as in anger
often with out
13.
to cause to make a snapping sound
to snap one's fingers
14.
to close, fasten, put into place, etc. with a snapping sound
to snap a lid shut
15.
to strike sharply by releasing one end of something held under tension
to snap someone with a rubber band
16.
to cause to move suddenly and smartly
snap the ball to first base
17. US
to take a snapshot of
18. US, American Football
to put (the ball) into play by passing or handing it back between the legs to a member of the offensive backfield
said of the center
noun
19.
a sudden bite, grasp, snatch, catch, etc.
20.
a sudden breaking or parting
21.
a sudden, sharp cracking or clicking sound
the snap of a whip
22.
a short, angry utterance or manner of speaking
23.
a brief period or spell of cold weather
24.
any clasp or fastening that closes with a click or snap
25.
a hard, thin cookie
gingersnaps
26. US
snapshot
27. US, Informal
alertness, vigor, or energy
28. US, Slang
an easy task, job, problem, etc.
29. Slang
a person who is easy to influence, persuade, control, etc.; tractable person
30. US, American Football
the act of snapping the ball
adjective
31. US
made or done quickly or on the spur of the moment without deliberation; impulsive
a snap decision
32.
that fastens with a snap
33. US, Slang
simple; easy
a snap assignment
adverb
34.
with, or as with, a snap
Idioms:
not a snap
snap back
snap one's fingers at
snap out of it
snap someone's head off
Word origin
< MDu or MLowG snappen, akin to Ger schnappen < Gmc base *snab-
Examples of 'snap' in a sentence
snap
Then the quick head snaps were another style.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Will this be the year to snap up that bargain holiday home?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There could be more cold snaps but there will be bouts of milder weather too.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The cold snap since will have allowed some recovery.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet he has already been online posting snaps which make a mockery of our prison system.
The Sun (2016)
Then she takes the great sticks and snaps them in two with her strong beak.
Christianity Today (2000)
Places in clearing are expected to be limited and snapped up quickly.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
She will face pressure to call a snap general election.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
YOU'LL be surprised to be told that the snap above also features a screen hunk.
The Sun (2013)
The ankle snap was a perfect example.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
You can snap your friends and family or photograph people off the telly or magazines.
The Sun (2014)
You take out your camera to snap a picture.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
These are the noises made by the valves in the heart as they snap shut.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Poll watchers have learned to distrust the snap numbers.
The Sun (2012)
Trim the asparagus and snap in half.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There are thousands of strangers on the beach so what difference does it make if you take a quick snap?
The Sun (2009)
It was then that something snapped.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The river will be calm and then suddenly... snap.
The Sun (2008)
After returning from cramming school he finally snapped, say police.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
There are reports that a combination of alcohol, stress and domestic issues caused him to snap.
The Sun (2012)
The pair were snapped getting close at the afterparty, above.
The Sun (2012)
This is a short, sharp cold snap and that is not unusual for mid-October.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Word lists with
snap
card games, Terms used in American football
In other languages
snap
British English: snap /snæp/ VERB
If something snaps or if you snap it, it breaks suddenly, usually with a sharp cracking noise.
He shifted his weight and a twig snapped.
American English: snap
Arabic: يَقْصِفُ
Brazilian Portuguese: estalar
Chinese: 啪地折断
Croatian: puknuti
Czech: přelomit (se)
Danish: knække
Dutch: breken
European Spanish: partir romper
Finnish: napsauttaa
French: casser net
German: zerspringen
Greek: κροταλίζω
Italian: spezzare
Japanese: ポキッと折る
Korean: (...을) 딱 부러트리다
Norwegian: kneppe
Polish: pstryknąć
European Portuguese: estalar
Romanian: a se frânge
Russian: ломать
Latin American Spanish: partir dividir en dos
Swedish: bryta av
Thai: ขาดหรือแตกอย่างฉับพลัน
Turkish: kopmak
Ukrainian: тріскатися
Vietnamese: đớp
British English: snap ADJECTIVE
A snap decision or action is one that is taken suddenly, often without careful thought.
I think this is too important for a snap decision.
American English: snap
Brazilian Portuguese: repentino
Chinese: 仓促的
European Spanish: precipitado
French: hâtif
German: spontan
Italian: impulsivo
Japanese: 性急な
Korean: 성급한
European Portuguese: repentino
Latin American Spanish: precipitado
All related terms of 'snap'
snap-in
able to be attached or inserted quickly and easily
snap-on
able to be attached or detached quickly and easily
snap up
If you snap something up , you buy it quickly because it is cheap or is just what you want .
cold snap
A cold snap is a short period of cold and icy weather.
snap back
to recover quickly from an illness , disappointment , etc.
snap bean
any of various bean plants that are cultivated in the US for their crisp edible unripe pods
snap brim
a hat brim that can be turned up or down
snap pea
a type of pea that has a crisp edible pod
snap ring
a metal clip with a spring for attaching to a piton , belay , etc
snap roll
a manoeuvre in which an aircraft makes a fast roll
snap shot
a sudden , fast shot at goal
brandy snap
Brandy snaps are very thin crisp biscuits in the shape of hollow cylinders. They are flavoured with ginger and are often filled with cream.
Scotch snap
a rhythmic pattern consisting of a short note followed by a long one
not a snap
not a bit ; not at all
snap fastener
A snap fastener is a small metal object used to fasten clothes , made up of two parts which can be pressed together .
snap judgment
A judgment is an opinion that you have or express after thinking carefully about something.
snap out of
If someone who is depressed snaps out of it or snaps out of their depression , they suddenly become more cheerful , especially by making an effort.
sugar snap pea
a type of pea that has a crisp edible pod
snap out of it
to recover quickly, esp from depression, anger , or illness
snap one's fingers at
to dismiss with contempt
snap one's fingers (at)
to exhibit disdain or contempt (for)
snap someone's head off
to speak sharply or harshly to someone
patent fastener
a fastening device consisting of one part with a projecting knob that snaps into a hole on another like part, used esp in closures in clothing
press stud
A press stud is a small metal object used to fasten clothes and is made up of two parts which can be pressed together .