Snap
/snæp/
Definitions
5 meaningsTo break suddenly, often with a sharp sound; to take a quick photograph.
/snæp/
To break suddenly with a cracking sound.
The dog's leash snapped when he pulled too hard.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're playing with a stick and it breaks really quickly, making a crack sound. That's snapping! Or, when you quickly take a picture with your phone, that's also a snap!
👶 For kids: To break quickly, like a twig. Or to take a quick picture!
More Examples
I snapped a quick picture of the beautiful scenery.
How It's Used
"The twig snapped in my hand."
"She snapped a photo of the sunset."
To speak or say something quickly and irritably.
/snæp/
She snapped at her brother for making too much noise.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're annoyed and you say something really quickly and a little bit mean. That's like snapping!
👶 For kids: To talk quickly and a little bit mad!
More Examples
He snapped back a rude response.
How It's Used
"He snapped at the waiter."
"She snapped back at her friend."
A sudden cracking sound.
/snæp/
The snap of the branch startled me.
💡 Simply: That quick, crack sound you might hear when a twig breaks or when a camera takes a picture. It's the 'snap'!
👶 For kids: The sound something makes when it breaks quickly!
More Examples
The camera's snap signaled the picture was taken.
How It's Used
"I heard a snap in the tree."
"The snap of the shutter indicated a photo was taken."
A quick, informal photograph.
/snæp/
She posted a snap of the beautiful scenery.
💡 Simply: When you take a quick picture with your phone or camera, especially of something everyday, it's a 'snap'!
👶 For kids: A quick photo, like a picture you take fast!
More Examples
He showed me a snap from his vacation.
How It's Used
"He took a snap of his dog."
"She posted a snap of her dinner on Instagram."
To close quickly.
/snæp/
She snapped the book closed and set it on the table.
💡 Simply: To close something quickly
👶 For kids: To close something fast
More Examples
The dog snapped its jaws at the approaching stranger.
How It's Used
"He snapped the lid shut."
Synonyms
Break
Capture
Crack
Fracture
Photograph
Bark
Clack
Pop
Photo
Picture
Click
Close
Shut
Idioms & expressions
snap out of it
To stop behaving in a particular way, especially in a negative or upset way.
"You need to snap out of it and get back to work."
in a snap
Very quickly; immediately.
"I can finish this project in a snap."
snap decision
A decision made quickly, without much thought or consideration.
"She made a snap decision to quit her job."
From Middle Dutch or Middle Low German *snappen* 'to seize, bite'.
Used since the 16th century, with early uses reflecting the sound aspect (e.g., the snapping of a twig). The figurative uses, such as 'snap at' someone, developed later.
Memory tip
Imagine a twig breaking – SNAP! Remember the sound.