noun
SNAFU
sna-FOO
SNAFU (noun) means a confused, chaotic mess or a major mistake, especially one caused by miscommunication or poor planning. Example: “The delivery snafu meant the cake arrived a day late for the wedding.”
noun
1
A confused, chaotic mess or a major mistake, especially one caused by miscommunication or poor planning.
"The delivery snafu meant the cake arrived a day late for the wedding."
verb
1
To mess something up badly.
"Someone snafued the seating chart and half the guests had no table."
How to use SNAFU
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA chaotic mix-up or blunder, often one that feels like business as usual.
When to use it
Informal; the noun is far more common than the verb.
Common pairings
a total snafu
a logistical snafu
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Word forms
- Plural
- SNAFUs
- Third person singular
- snafus
- Past tense
- snafued
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The delivery _____ meant the cake arrived a day late for the wedding.
Etymology
A World War II military acronym for "situation normal, all fouled up" (in its original, cruder form), used by soldiers to describe the everyday chaos of army life.
Frequently asked questions
What does “SNAFU” mean?
The word “SNAFU” means a confused, chaotic mess or a major mistake, especially one caused by miscommunication or poor planning. In plain terms, a chaotic mix-up or blunder, often one that feels like business as usual.
How do you pronounce “SNAFU”?
“SNAFU” is pronounced sna-FOO (/snæˈfu/ in IPA).
How do you use “SNAFU” in a sentence?
Here is “SNAFU” used in a sentence: “The delivery snafu meant the cake arrived a day late for the wedding.”
What part of speech is “SNAFU”?
Depending on how it is used, “SNAFU” can be a noun and a verb.
How many meanings does “SNAFU” have?
“SNAFU” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a confused, chaotic mess or a major mistake, especially one caused by miscommunication or poor planning.
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