snap

23 synonyms for snap, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To break suddenly with a sharp cracking sound.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

crack break click photograph shoot grab catch

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

fracture bark rupture flick bust cracking picnic breeze

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

retort lash out cinch centring centering elasticity pushover gingersnap

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To break suddenly with a sharp cracking sound.

“The old rope snapped suddenly, and the boat drifted away from the pier.”

crack break fracture bark retort lash out click rupture photograph flick bust shoot

2. noun

A quick photograph.

“Grandad loves showing us every snap from his holiday on the old camera.”

cinch cracking grab picnic centring crack centering breeze elasticity pushover catch gingersnap

How to use snap

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

snap in half snap at someone a snap decision take a snap

Etymology

From Dutch or Low German snappen ("to bite, seize"), likely echoing the sharp sound of something breaking.

Full origin of snap →

Frequently asked questions

What does “snap” mean?

The word “snap” means to break suddenly with a sharp cracking sound. In plain terms, a sudden break or sharp sound, a quick photo, or speaking abruptly and crossly.

How do you pronounce “snap”?

“Snap” is pronounced snap (/snæp/ in IPA).

How do you use “snap” in a sentence?

Here is “snap” used in a sentence: “The branch snapped under his weight.”

What part of speech is “snap”?

Depending on how it is used, “snap” can be a verb, a noun and an adjective.

Where does the word “snap” come from?

The word “snap” comes from German. From Dutch or Low German snappen ("to bite, seize"), likely echoing the sharp sound of something breaking.

Is “snap” a common word?

“Snap” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “snap” have?

“Snap” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to break suddenly with a sharp cracking sound.

What is the difference between 'snap' and 'break'?

To 'snap' is to break suddenly with a sharp cracking sound, so it implies a quick, clean break in something stiff like a twig or bone. 'Break' is the general term and covers all kinds of breaking, whether sudden or slow, loud or silent. Every snap is a break, but not every break is a snap.

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break click catch shoot grab crack photograph bust cracking breeze bark picnic

Nearby words

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