snap Hear it!

snap Definition

snap (snap)

intransitive verb snapped, snap′·ping

  1. to bring the jaws together sharply; bite suddenly: often with at a fish snaps at bait
  2. to snatch or grasp quickly or eagerly: with at to snap at a chance
  3. to speak sharply, abruptly, or irritably: often with at
  4. to break, part, or be released suddenly, esp. with a sharp, cracking sound
  5. to give way suddenly under strain, as nerves, resistance, etc.
  6. to make a sudden, sharp cracking or clicking sound, as a whip
    1. to close, fasten, go into place, etc. with a snapping sound the lock snapped shut
    2. to become closed or fastened by means of a snap ()
  8. to move or act suddenly and smartly to snap to attention
  9. to appear to flash or sparkle, as in anger: said of the eyes

Etymology: < MDu or MLowG snappen, akin to Ger schnappen < Gmc base *snab-

transitive verb

  1. to grasp or get suddenly with or as with a bite; snatch: often with up
  2. to break or sever suddenly or with a snapping sound
  3. to speak or utter sharply or harshly, as in anger: often with out
  4. to cause to make a snapping sound to snap one's fingers
  5. to close, fasten, put into place, etc. with a snapping sound to snap a lid shut
  6. to strike sharply by releasing one end of something held under tension to snap someone with a rubber band
  7. to cause to move suddenly and smartly snap the ball to first base
  8. ☆ to take a snapshot of
  9. ☆ Football to put (the ball) into play by passing or handing it back between the legs to a member of the offensive backfield: said of the center

noun

  1. a sudden bite, grasp, snatch, catch, etc.
  2. a sudden breaking or parting
  3. a sudden, sharp cracking or clicking sound the snap of a whip
  4. a short, angry utterance or manner of speaking
  5. a brief period or spell of cold weather
  6. any clasp or fastening that closes with a click or snap
  7. a hard, thin cookie gingersnaps
  8. ☆ snapshot
  9. ☆ Informal alertness, vigor, or energy
  10. ☆ Slang an easy task, job, problem, etc.
  11. Slang a person who is easy to influence, persuade, control, etc.; tractable person
  12. ☆ Football the act of snapping the ball

Etymology: MDu snap

adjective

  1. ☆ made or done quickly or on the spur of the moment without deliberation; impulsive a snap decision
  2. that fastens with a snap
  3. ☆ Slang simple; easy a snap assignment

adverb

with, or as with, a snap

snap Idioms

not a snap

not a bit; not at all

snap back

to recover quickly from an illness, disappointment, etc.

snap one's fingers at

to show lack of concern for; be careless of or indifferent toward

snap out of it

☆

to change suddenly from a bad condition to a better one; recover quickly or regain one's senses

snap someone's head off

to speak sharply or harshly to someone

SNAP Definition

SNAP (snap)

noun

a small nuclear power source designed to provide electricity for satellites, remote automatic weather stations, etc.

Etymology: s(ystems for) n(uclear) a(uxiliary) p(ower)

snap Synonyms

snap

n.

  1. Fastener

    clasp, fastening, catch; see fastener.

  2. *Cinch

    easy job, ease, no problem, breeze.

snap Synonyms

snap

v.

catch, clasp, lock; see close 4, fasten 1.

snap Usage Examples

Object

  • turtle: No more losses to snapping turtles, huge bullfrogs and water snakes, kingfishers and herons.
  • finger: She never suffers the dramatic hurts, never breaks anything proper, never snaps fingers or wrists when she tumbles off her bike.
  • photo: Each time one of the creatures rose out of the water, she snapped a photo.

Preposition: at

  • heel: Focus is snapping hard at the heels of B&Q, the giant of DIY retailing.

Adjective modifier

  • cold: Very mild second week followed by a cold snap in the third week.
  • sudden: This time his skill was greater or his tool was better, for there was a sudden snap and the creak of the hinges.

Modifies a noun

  • fastener: Made from heavy duty vinyl with snap fastener and printed with your bike logo.
  • pea: Sauté the carrots for about 1 minute, add the Chinese cabbage and then the snap peas.
  • shot: Click here to see a snap shot of our work.
  • closure: The Loopy Links Garden and Loopy Links Zoo support toddlers' love of linking and feature boldly colored and patterned loops with magnetic snap closures.
  • fastening: This Lampshade is made from weaved newspaper with chrome snap fastenings around the top and bottom.
  • judgment: The snap judgment that he was not to be messed with was spot on.

Noun used with modifier

  • ginger: Cookie giggled and said, I'm a ginger snap!
  • sugar: Then stir in 2 teaspoons of horseradish mustard and a handful of chopped fresh sugar snap peas.

Particle object:

  • bargain: Hundreds of customers snapped up the bargain, but the orders will not be honored.

Preposition: in

  • booster: Because it has the snap in booster, it can quite easily cope as an overnight diaper.

Preposition: of

  • twig: The rasp of his hand against the material made him almost miss the approaching footsteps and snap of a twig.
  • finger: Ready at the snap of a finger: the new ease in projecting.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • up: Even with just 150 tickets which were snapped up within hours, the club was packed by the time the band opened their set.

Preposition: up

  • bargain: On Tuesdays and Fridays, Tuesday Market Place is bustling with shoppers keen to snap up a bargain.