snap

1 of 4

verb

ˈsnap 

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

I didn't mean to snap at you.

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

—usually used with up

birds snapping up fish

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

snapped him short

b

: to utter curtly or abruptly

"Leave me alone!" he snapped.

4

: to break suddenly : break short or in two

snap a twig

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 pictures.

—Current 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)

a snap of its jaws

2

a

: something that is easy and presents no problems : cinch

It's a snap to install.

b

archaic : a share of profits or booty

c

dated : an opportunity to gain a quick and easy profit or advantage

3

dated : a small amount : bit

He did not care a snap for their good opinion …

—Emanuel Haldeman-Julius

4

a

: an act or instance of seizing abruptly : a sudden snatching at something

b

: a quick short movement

… lithe snaps of its body …

—Barbara 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

: snapshot

10

a

: the condition of being vigorous in body, mind, or spirit : alertness, energy

b

: a pleasing vigorous quality

11

American 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

Synonyms of snap

Verb

• bark
• snarl
• shout
• yell
• scream

Noun

• clap
• bang
• pop
• boom
• blast
• crack
• crash

Adjective

• easy
• smooth
• simple
• ready
• cheap
• quick

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

Morant and the Grizzlies return home to host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night with a chance to get things back on track and snap their three-game losing streak. —Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025

Legacy OEMs joined in on the action, as well, with debuts from McLaren and Rolls-Royce drawing crowds eager to get up close and personal or snap a selfie with the latest and greatest. —Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2025

Noun

Flueger joked about the moment on Instagram at the time, sharing a snap of Amara on TV. —Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 30 Oct. 2025

The new post from Ballerini also featured a snap of her and friends painting their pumpkins at night and saying hello to a horse and ended with a silly clip of the singer emerging from the mouth of a blue hippo see-saw on a playground. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 29 Oct. 2025

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

Adjective

The inside of the bag has a snap pocket, while the outer open pocket provides easy access to essentials. —Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025

Beaty made a snap decision to play it for real. —Jay Glennie, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2025

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

Phrases Containing snap

• cold snap
• snap back
• snap bean
• snap-brim
• snap judgment
• snap-on
• snap out of
• snap out of it
• snap pea
• snap roll
• snap to attention
• snap to it
• snap up
• sugar snap pea

Rhymes for snap

• app
• cap
• chap
• clap
• crap
• flap
• frap
• gap
• hap
• lap
• nap
• nappe

Kids Definition

snap

1 of 3 verb

ˈsnap 

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

: snapshot

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