snapper

noun

snap·​per ˈsna-pər 

plural snappers

1

: one that snaps: such as

a

: something (such as a remark) that gives new orientation to a situation or utterance

b(1)

: snapping turtle

(2)

: click beetle

2

plural also snapper

a

: any of numerous active carnivorous fishes (family Lutjanidae) of warm seas important as food and often as sport fishes

b

: any of several immature fishes (such as the young of the bluefish) that resemble a snapper

Examples of snapper in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kangaroos lounge lazily on the beach, a surreal sight against the turquoise sea—while snorkelers drift through clear shallows teeming with Australian salmon, blue groper, and queen snapper. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025

The 49ers also have a new long snapper, Jon Weeks, and punter, Thomas Morstead, after longtime punter Mitch Wishnowsky was cut on Wednesday. —Matt Barrows, New York Times, 30 May 2025

Lobsters, grouper, snapper, snook and myriad other marine animals use the reef as habitat. —Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 3 July 2025

Vermilion snappers are known for their bright red color and slender body. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1587, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing snapper

• alligator snapper
• red snapper
• snapper-back

Rhymes for snapper

• capper
• clapper
• dapper
• flapper
• kapur
• mapper
• napper
• rapper
• sapper
• tapper
• trapper
• wrapper

Kids Definition

snapper

noun

snap·​per ˈsnap-ər 

plural snappers

1

a

: something that snaps

b

: snapping turtle

2

plural also snapper

a

: any of a large family of active flesh-eating fishes of warm seas that are important as food and sport fishes

b

: any of several immature fishes (as the young of the bluefish) that resemble a snapper