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 & Antonyms
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.
Word Origin
"to seize, bite"