snap

SNAP/snæp/

Verbsnaps, snapping, snapped

Noun pluralsnaps

59 meanings of snap

Practice

1
verbtransitive or intransitive
To break suddenly, or make something break suddenly, often with a sharp cracking sound.
Like breaking a dry stick over your knee.
If you bend the stick too far, you will snap it.
The branch snapped under the heavy snow.
UsageOften used in snap in half or snap off.
Similarbreak, crack, fracture
Note
2
take a photoverbtransitive
To take a photo of someone or something.
She snapped the kids playing in the yard.
Can you snap us before we leave?
UsageSay snap a photo.
Similarphotograph, shoot, capture
Note
3
verbintransitive
To speak or say something in a quick, sharp way because you are angry or annoyed.
Like answering with a quick, sharp bark instead of kind words.
Don't snap at me just because you had a bad day.
She snapped at the children when she was tired.
UsageSay snap at someone when you speak to them angrily.
Similarbark, snarl, growl
4
lose controlverbintransitive
To suddenly lose control of your emotions after too much stress.
Like a rope that holds weight until it suddenly breaks.
After months of pressure, he finally snapped.
Some people snap when they can no longer cope.
UsageYou can say someone snapped under pressure.
Similarcrack, break, flip
Note
5
click fingersverbtransitive
To make a sharp sound by pressing a finger against the thumb and quickly releasing it.
She snapped her fingers to get the waiter's attention.
He likes to snap his fingers along to the music.
Similarclick
Note
6
nouncountable or uncountable
A sudden break or crack, or the short, sharp sound something makes when it breaks.
Like the sharp sound a twig makes when you step on it.
The snap of the dry branch echoed through the woods.
We heard a loud snap as the rope gave way.
Similarcrack, pop, break
7
footballnouncountable or uncountable
In football, the quick pass that puts the ball into play to start a down.
The quarterback fumbled the snap on third down.
A bad snap sailed over the punter's head and out of bounds.
Similarhike
Note
8
verbintransitive
To move or jump to a new position all at once.
Like a spring jumping back into place at once.
Her head snapped around when someone called her name.
Soldiers snap to attention when the officer enters.
UsageSay snap to attention.
Similarjerk, whip
Note
9
photonouncolloquialcountable or uncountable
A photograph, especially a quick or casual one.
She took a quick snap of the sunset.
He showed me some snaps from his vacation.
Similarphoto, snapshot, picture, shot, photograph
10
hastyadjectivebefore a noun
Done or decided suddenly, often without warning or much thought.
Like picking something fast without taking time to think.
She made a snap decision to sell the car.
He gave a snap answer without checking the facts first.
UsageSay a snap decision or a snap election.
Similarhasty, quick, sudden, rash, impromptu
Oppositeconsidered, deliberate, careful
Note
11
take eagerlyverbintransitive
To eagerly try to grab a chance or offer.
Like grabbing the best seat before anyone else can.
Most kids would snap at the chance to meet their favorite player.
She snapped at the chance to study abroad for a year.
UsageSay snap at the chance.
Similarjump, grab
Note
12
nouncountable or uncountable
A small fastener that clicks shut to hold things together.
The jacket closes with a snap instead of a zipper.
The snap on my jacket broke, so it won't stay closed.
Similarpopper
13
verbintransitive
To close or fit into place with a short clicking sound, or to close something this way.
Like fitting two building blocks together until they click.
The lid snaps onto the container easily.
These two parts snap together without any glue.
UsageSay it snaps into place.
Similarclick, clip, fasten, lock
14
verbintransitive
If an animal snaps at something, it quickly tries to bite or grab it with its mouth.
Like a dog trying to bite at a passing fly.
The dog snapped at the mail carrier through the fence.
Fish snap at anything that moves near the surface.
Similarbite, nip
15
easy tasknounslangcountable or uncountable
Something that is very easy to do.
The test was a snap for the well-prepared students.
Fixing the leak turned out to be a snap.
UsageSay it was a snap.
Similarbreeze, cinch, doddle
Note
16
momentnouncountable or uncountable
A very short moment, or a task that can be done that quickly.
She finished the puzzle in a snap.
Dinner was ready in a snap.
UsageIn a snap means very fast.
Similarflash, jiffy, moment, instant, second
17
cold spellnouncountable or uncountable
A short, sudden spell of cold weather.
A cold snap killed many of the garden plants.
A cold snap killed the flowers in our garden.
UsageSay a cold snap for a few very cold days.
Similarspell
18
finger clicknouncountable or uncountable
The act of making a sharp sound with your fingers and thumb.
With a quick snap, she called the dog over.
He summoned the waiter with a single snap.
UsageSay a snap of the fingers.
Similarclick
19
verbtransitive
In American football, to pass or hand the ball back from the ground to start a play.
The center has to snap the ball before the play can start.
He snapped the ball too early, and the quarterback dropped it.
Similarhike
Note
20
nouncountable or uncountable
A photo or video that someone sends on the Snapchat app.
I opened her snap, and the photo was gone a few seconds later.
My friends send me silly snaps all day, and they disappear after I look at them.
UsageSay send someone a snap.
Note
21
verb
Lowercase spelling of Snap: to send someone a photo or video on the Snapchat app.
I'll snap you a video of the concert on Snapchat tonight.
I'll snap you a video of the puppy, but it will disappear after you watch it.
UsagePut the person before the picture: snap me a photo.
22
nouncountable or uncountable
Quick, lively energy, and a strong, sure way of doing things.
Her singing has real snap, and it makes everyone want to dance.
The teacher asked us to read the poem again with more snap.
Similarenergy, vigour, zest, verve, punch
23
verbtransitive
To make something give a quick, sharp sound, often by closing it fast.
Please don't snap your gum in class.
He snapped the book shut and looked up at me.
Similarcrack, click
Note
24
verbintransitive
On a computer screen, to jump into a set place that depends on where something else is.
Like a magnet that pulls a piece of metal the last little way.
When you drag the picture near the side, it will snap to the edge.
The window snapped to the left half of the screen when I let go of it.
UsageSay it snaps to the grid.
Similarjump
Note
25
interjectionAustraliaBritish
Said when you have the same thing as someone else, or to mean "Me too!"
Snap! My mum bought me the same jumper.
"I've got a blue lunch box." "Snap, so have I!"
Similarditto
Note
26
nouncountable or uncountable
A green bean, or a similar bean that is eaten whole.
Grandma cooked a big pot of snaps and new potatoes from her garden.
We picked a whole basket of snaps from the garden today.
27
nouncolloquialcountable or uncountableabbreviationclipping
Short for Snapchat, meaning a person's account on the app. People ask for it to add a new friend.
What's your snap? I'll add you tonight.
She gave me her snap so we could keep talking after the party.
UsageSay what's your snap? to ask for someone's account.

Less common meanings

28
verbintransitive
To make a quick, sharp cracking sound.
Like the sound popcorn makes when it pops.
The logs in the fireplace pop and snap all evening.
The campfire snapped as the flames grew.
Similarcrack, crackle, pop
29
oh nointerjectionCanadaUS
A mild word people say to show surprise, often at bad news.
Like saying "oh no!" when something goes wrong.
Snap! I left my keys at home again.
Oh snap, the store already closed for the night?
UsageSay oh, snap! as a joke when something goes wrong.
Similarshoot, darn, drat, rats
Note
30
verbtransitive
To pull something apart so it pops loose with a sound.
Like breaking a chocolate bar in two.
She snapped the plastic lid off the box.
Workers snap the panels apart for recycling.
Similarpop, break, pluck
31
cookienouncountable or uncountable
A thin, round, crisp cookie.
She served tea with a plate of ginger snaps.
Grandma let me eat one ginger snap before dinner.
UsageSay ginger snap.
32
card gamenoununcountable
A children's card game where you shout to claim matching cards.
The kids played snap until well past bedtime.
We dug out a deck and started a game of snap.
UsageSay play snap.
Note
33
a bitenouncountable or uncountable
A quick try to bite, grab, or attack something.
Like a quick bite from a hungry animal.
The crocodile made a fast snap at the bird but missed.
With one snap, the dog caught the ball in midair.
UsageSay a dog made a snap at a fly.
Similarbite, snatch, grab
34
noundated
A fast shot from a gun, fired without stopping to aim carefully.
35
nouncolloquial
A small metal rivet used to decorate scrapbooks.
36
noun
A small clip that joins a hook or lure to a fishing line.
37
noundialectalUK
A small meal, such as food you take to work.
38
nounobsolete
A person who always wants more than their share.
up rises a Cunning Snap, then at the Board, who desir'd to be Inform'd
1692, Roger L’Estrange, Fables
39
noun
A small piece or scrap, often one grabbed or bitten off quickly.
40
nounarchaic
An easy way to make money.
The Profs they lead a jolly life, jolly life, / They're free from every care and strife, care and strife. / They make the studes, poor studes fall into line; / I wish the Profs' soft snap were mine.
1920, Cornell Forester, volumes 1-6
41
noun
A beetle that jumps with a clicking sound.
42
noun
In physics, how fast jerk changes over time.
43
nouncolloquial
Something that is worth nothing.
44
noun
An app package for Linux in the format created by the company Canonical.
45
noun
A short, clever, sharp quality in words.
46
noun
A tool used to shape the heads of metal pins called rivets.
47
noun
A tool that holds glass while it is being shaped.
48
noundated
A short acting job in a theater.
49
noundated
A person who cheats people.
50
noun
A short piece of breaking news.
51
nounslang
A playful insult traded in the dozens, a Black American game where people take turns insulting each other.
52
noun
A kind of hip-hop with simple beats, which grew out of crunk.
53
verb
To seem to give off quick sparks of light.
54
verb
To move something with a quick, sharp jerk.
55
verb
Of a gun, to click without firing.
56
verb
In cricket, to get a batter out with a quick catch off the bat's edge.
57
interjection
What you shout in the game snap when two cards match.
58
interjectionBritish
Said to show that you agree with someone.
59
interjectionAustraliaBritishNew Zealand
Said when two people say the same words together.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of snap apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

It comes from Dutch or Low German snappen, meaning "to bite" or "to seize." The sound of the word also helped shape it.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Snap comes from Dutch or Low German snappen, meaning ‘to bite’ or ‘to seize’. en.wikipedia.org
The word was influenced by sound imitation. en.wiktionary.org