snap

1 of 4

verb

snapped; snapping

intransitive verb

1
a
: to make a sudden closing of the jaws : seize something sharply with the mouth
fish snapping at the bait
b
: to grasp at something eagerly : make a pounce or snatch
snap at any chance
2
: to utter sharp biting words : bark out irritable or peevish retorts
3
a
: to break suddenly with a sharp sound
the twig snapped
b
: to give way suddenly under emotional stress or strain
He snapped under the pressure of the job.
4
a
: to make a sharp or crackling sound
b
: to use your thumb and fingers to make a short sharp sound
People snapped to the beat.
5
: to close or fit in place with an abrupt movement or sharp sound
the lock snapped shut
6
a
: to move briskly or sharply
snaps to attention
b
: to undergo a sudden and rapid change (as from one condition to another)
snap out of it
snapped awake
7
: sparkle, flash
eyes snapping with fury

transitive verb

1
: to seize with or as if with a snap of the jaws
2
: to take possession or advantage of suddenly or eagerly
usually used with up
shoppers snapping up bargains
3
a
: to retort to or interrupt curtly and irritably
b
: to utter curtly or abruptly
4
: to break suddenly : break short or in two
5
a
: to cause to make a snapping sound
snap a whip
b
: to make a snapping sound by moving (thumb and finger) against one another
c
: to put into or remove from a particular position by a sudden movement or with a sharp sound
snap the lock shut
6
a
: to project with a snap
snapped a spitball across the classroom
b
: to put (a football) in play with a snap
c(1)
: to take photographically
snapping exclusive news picturesCurrent Biography
(2)
: to take a snapshot of
snapped the scenery

snap

2 of 4

noun

1
: an abrupt closing (as of the mouth in biting or of scissors in cutting)
2
a
archaic : a share of profits or booty
b
: something that brings quick and easy profit or advantage
c
: something that is easy and presents no problems : cinch
3
: a small amount : bit
4
a
: an act or instance of seizing abruptly : a sudden snatching at something
b
: a quick short movement
lithe snaps of its bodyBarbara Taylor
c
: a sudden sharp breaking
5
a
: a sound made by snapping something
shut the book with a snap
b
: a brief sharp and usually irritable speech or retort
6
: a sudden spell of weather
a cold snap
7
: a catch or fastening that closes or locks with a click
the snap of a bracelet
8
: a flat brittle cookie compare gingersnap
9
10
a
: the condition of being vigorous in body, mind, or spirit : alertness, energy
b
: a pleasing vigorous quality
11
football : the act of a center's putting the ball in play from its position on the ground by quickly passing it between the legs back to a teammate (such as a quarterback) : the act of snapping the ball
The quarterback fumbled the snap. [=fumbled the ball when it was snapped to him]

snap

3 of 4

adverb

: with a snap

snap

4 of 4

adjective

1
: done, made, or carried through suddenly or without deliberation
a snap judgment
2
: called or taken without prior warning
a snap election
3
: fastening with a snap
a snap lock
4
: unusually easy or simple
a snap course

Examples of snap in a Sentence

Verb The branch snapped and fell to the ground. The earpiece of his glasses snapped off. She snapped the twig in two. The boy snapped the wing off his toy airplane. The bent tree snapped back into an upright position. I snapped the lid shut. She snapped the pieces together. She snapped her handbag shut. Noun I've trained the dog to come to me with a snap of my fingers. The snap of the bracelet broke. Adjective a snap course that even an idiot could pass
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Mikael Granlund, playing in his 800th career NHL game, assisted on both of Bordeleau’s power-play goals as the Sharks snapped a nine-game losing streak. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 For Gurira, Michonne’s snap decision was about snapping Rick out of his funk. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2024 Posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official Instagram account on Sunday, the U.K.’s Mother’s Day, the photo shows Middleton smiling with her three children in a photo allegedly snapped by Prince William. Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2024 In the photo snapped by Prince William, 41, Kate was seated in a chair as the couple's children — Prince George, 10; Princess Charlotte, 8; and Prince Louis, 5 — were embraced by their mother. Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 10 Mar. 2024 The Toreros enter the WCC Tournament coming off a win over Pacific, a victory that snapped a three-game losing streak. Ivan Carter, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Mar. 2024 Charlotte snapped its three-game slidein the final game at Halton Arena this season, beating Rice, 69-64. Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2024 Victory for the Suns snaps a two-game skid, with the team currently sixth in the West and still fighting to avoid the play-in. Matias Grez, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 Sitting in the driver's seat, O'Connell posed next to his daughter, who snapped a selfie of his full car. Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024
Noun
The only inside linebacker still with the team who played meaningful snaps last season is Nick Niemann, who has carved out a more prominent role for himself on special teams. Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 Blowing a kiss in the first snap, the following picture featured the star holding her baby bump while flashing a beaming smile. Gabrielle Rockson, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024 The humor is deadpan and the fights feel deadly in a way that channels a very 21st century, post-John Wick style of snap, crackle and pow. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2024 Of the 39 players who received defensive snaps for UM last season, PFF rated Bissainthe 28th. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2024 Her hair doesn’t look super red in these snaps, but at this point, who knows what any of it means, if anything. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2024 Festival organizers hoped the cold snap would freeze the lake enough to safely hold the 5K on Feb. 3, but warm weather in late January dictated otherwise. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, Bree shared snaps of herself sipping a drink on a boat while wearing a black bikini and crochet cover-up. Becca Longmire, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 Despite the cold snap, Wisconsin saw its 10th-warmest January on record. Journal Sentinel, 29 Feb. 2024
Adverb
Roy Robertson-Harris steamrolled center Corey Linsley on his first-quarter sack (4.9 seconds snap-to-throw). Rich Campbell, chicagotribune.com, 7 Sep. 2019 Investors look at Snap’s new user numbers as an important metric to gauge the company’s future growth. Jonathan Vanian, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2017 During the recession and in the years that followed, SNAP expanded to accommodate the increased number of people who needed food assistance. Greg Trotter, chicagotribune.com, 4 May 2017 Snap’s new technology, a 3-D lens, can also change and shift in response to physical objects. Katie Benner, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2017
Adjective
The coat features a detachable hood, long sleeves with elasticized cuffs, and a zipper closure with snap buttons. Maya Polton, Parents, 14 Mar. 2024 In rivers, forcing chilly bass into a snap decision can be the ticket, making spinnerbaits and swimbaits prime choices. Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 14 Mar. 2024 For Gurira, Michonne’s snap decision was about snapping Rick out of his funk. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 10 Mar. 2024 This ribbed long sleeve is sleek, smooths your stomach, and stays in place with its snap closure. Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 17 Feb. 2024 Mariska Hargitay, Snoop Dogg, Octavia Spencer and More Pay Tribute to Carl Weathers After His Death at 76 Completely unaware that Stallone, 77, was set to star as the titular boxer, Rocky Balboa, the Mandalorian actor made a snap decision after the pair completed the audition for the 1976 film. Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 3 Feb. 2024 The flap cargo pockets, snap buttons, and curved seaming are little details that make this Fabletics style fun to wear. Paula Lee, Glamour, 3 Jan. 2024 McVay intimated last week that a 47-yard miss against the Saints was a snap operation breakdown. Gary Klein, Los Angeles Times, 26 Dec. 2023 The European Union and the United States urged Serbia to address concerns about its electoral process after independent observers found worrying irregularities including vote buying during Sunday's snap election. Fox News, 21 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'snap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Dutch or Low German snappen; akin to Middle High German snappen to snap

First Known Use

Verb

1530, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

1583, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1739, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of snap was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near snap

Cite this Entry

“Snap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snap. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

snap

1 of 3 verb
snapped; snapping
1
a
: to make a sudden closing of the jaws : seize something sharply with the mouth
fish snapping at the bait
b
: to grasp at something eagerly
snapped at the chance to travel
c
: to take possession of at once
usually used with up
snap up a bargain
2
: to speak sharply or irritably
snap at a questioner
3
a
: to break or break apart suddenly especially with a sharp sound
the twig snapped
snapped the bone in two
b
: to give way or cause to give way suddenly under stress
the rope snapped
c
: to bring to a sudden end
snapped the opposing team's winning streak
4
: to make or cause to make a sharp or crackling sound
snap a whip
5
a
: to close or fit in place with a quick movement
the lid snapped shut
b
: to put into or remove from a position by a sudden movement or with a snapping sound
snap off a switch
c
: to close by snaps or fasteners
snapped up the snowsuit
6
a
: to move briskly or sharply
snapped to attention
b
: to undergo a sudden and rapid change (as from one condition to another)
snapped out of his bad mood
c
: to put (a football) in play especially by passing or handing backward between the legs
d
: to take a snapshot of

snap

2 of 3 noun
1
: a quick closing (as of the mouth in biting or of scissors in cutting)
especially : a biting or snatching with the teeth or jaws
2
: something that is easy and presents no problems : cinch
3
: a small amount : bit
don't care a snap
4
a
: a sudden snatching at something
b
: a quick short movement
c
: a sudden sharp breaking
5
: a sound made by snapping something
shut the book with a snap
6
: a sudden spell of harsh weather
a cold snap
7
: a catch or fastening that closes or locks with a click
snap of a bracelet
8
: a thin brittle cookie
9
10
: smartness of movement or speech : energy
11
: an act or instance of snapping a football

snap

3 of 3 adjective
1
: made suddenly or without careful thought
a snap judgment
2
: shutting or fastening with a click or by means of a device that snaps
a snap lock
3
: unusually easy
a snap course

More from Merriam-Webster on snap

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