Snap (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

verb (used without object), snapped, snap·ping.
  1. to make a sudden, sharp, distinct sound; crack, as a whip; crackle.
  2. to click, as a mechanism or the jaws or teeth coming together.
  3. to move, strike, shut, catch, etc., with a sharp sound, as a door, lid, or lock.
  4. to break suddenly, especially with a sharp, cracking sound, as something slender and brittle: The branch snapped.
  5. to act or move with quick or abrupt motions of the body: to snap to attention.
  6. to take a photograph, especially without formal posing of the subject.
  7. to make a quick or sudden bite or grab (often followed by at).
  8. to utter a quick, sharp sentence or speech, especially a command, reproof, retort, etc. (often followed by at).
  9. to be radiant; sparkle; flash, as the eyes.
verb (used with object), snapped, snap·ping.
  1. to seize with or take, buy, or obtain as with a quick bite or grab (followed by up or off): The bargains were snapped up.
  2. to secure, judge, vote, etc., hastily: They snapped the bill through Congress.
  3. to cause to make a sudden, sharp sound: to snap one's fingers.
  4. to crack (a whip).
  5. to bring, strike, shut, open, operate, etc., with a sharp sound or movement: to snap a lid down.
  6. to address or interrupt (a person) quickly and sharply.
  7. to say or utter (words, a command, a retort, etc.) in a quick, sharp manner: to snap complaints.
  8. to break suddenly, especially with a cracking sound: to snap a stick in half.
  9. to take a photograph of, especially quickly.
  10. to move (an icon, line, window, or other displayed item) instantly and automatically into alignment with a grid or into a predetermined position, as to a corner or edge of the screen.
  11. to use a smartphone or other digital device to scan (a QR code or other source) in order to read the encoded text or URL and to browse the hyperlinked website or web page.
  12. to transfer (a line) to a surface by means of a chalk line.
  13. to put (the ball) into play by tossing it back to the quarterback or other member of the offensive backfield, especially from between the legs when bent over double and facing the line of scrimmage; center.
  14. to fire (a shot) quickly, especially without raising the gun to aim from the eye.
noun
  1. a quick, sudden action or movement, as the flick of a whip or the breaking of a twig.
  2. a short, sharp sound, as that caused by breaking a twig or closing a latch.
  3. a catch or fastener that closes by pressure and clicks together.
  4. briskness, vigor, or energy: That song has a lot of snap.
  5. a quick, sharp speech or manner of speaking: He uttered his commands with a snap.
  6. a quick or sudden bite or grab, as at something: The fish ate with little snaps.
  7. something obtained by or as by biting or grabbing: a snap of food.
  8. a brittle cookie.
  9. a short spell or period, as of cold weather: an unexpected cold snap.
  10. snapshot (def. 1).
  11. an easy, profitable, or agreeable position, piece of work, or the like: This job is a snap.
  12. the act or an instance of snapping the ball.
  13. snap bean.
  14. snapdragon (def. 1).
  15. a packed lunch, as that carried by a worker or traveler.
adjective
  1. fastening or closing with a click or snap, as a device fitted with a spring catch: a snap lock.
  2. made, done, taken, etc., suddenly, offhand, or without warning: a snap judgment;a snap election called years ahead of schedule.
  3. easy or simple.
adverb
  1. in a brisk, sudden manner.
interjection
  1. (an exclamation of surprise, wonder, pleasure, regret, disappointment, etc.): Oh snap! I forgot we had a test today!
Verb Phrases
  1. snap to,
    • to come to attention: The troops snapped to when the colonel walked in.
    • to shape up: If you don't snap to and study, you'll flunk the course.
Idioms
  1. to regard with indifference; treat lightly.
  2. finger (def. 25).
  3. to free oneself from; recover from: It took him a long time to snap out of his grief.
  4. bite (def. 33).
noun
  1. a federal program for low-income Americans that provides them with electronically deposited benefits to pay for food, as at grocery stores or markets.
verb snaps, snapping or snapped
  1. to break or cause to break suddenly, esp with a sharp sound
  2. to make or cause to make a sudden sharp cracking sound
  3. to give way or collapse suddenly, esp from strain
  4. to move, close, etc, or cause to move, close, etc, with a sudden sharp sound
  5. to move or cause to move in a sudden or abrupt way
  6. to seize something suddenly or quickly
  7. to bite at (something) bringing the jaws rapidly together
  8. to speak (words) sharply or abruptly
  9. (of eyes) to flash or sparkle
  10. to take a snapshot of (something)
  11. to fire a quick shot without taking deliberate aim
  12. to put (the ball) into play by sending it back from the line of scrimmage to a teammate
  13. snap one's fingers at informal
    • to dismiss with contempt
    • to defy
  14. to recover quickly, esp from depression, anger, or illness
noun
  1. the act of breaking suddenly or the sound produced by a sudden breakage
  2. a sudden sharp sound, esp of bursting, popping, or cracking
  3. a catch, clasp, or fastener that operates with a snapping sound
  4. a sudden grab or bite
  5. the sudden release of something such as elastic thread
  6. a brisk movement of the thumb against one or more fingers
  7. a thin crisp biscuit
  8. informal See snapshot
  9. vigour, liveliness, or energy
  10. a task or job that is easy or profitable to do
  11. a short spell or period, esp of cold weather
  12. food, esp a packed lunch taken to work
  13. a card game in which the word snap is called when two cards of equal value are turned up on the separate piles dealt by each player
  14. the start of each play when the centre passes the ball back from the line of scrimmage to a teammate
  15. done on the spur of the moment, without consideration or warning
  16. closed or fastened with a snap
adverb
  1. with a snap
interjection
    • the word called while playing snap
    • an exclamation used to draw attention to the similarity of two things
Snap (noun) Definition, Meaning & Examples

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