snap
/snæp/ IELTSAcademic
verb
To break suddenly with a sharp sound, or to make something do this. It can also mean to lose control and react quickly.
- The twig snapped under my foot.
- She snapped the pencil in half.
- He snapped at me after a long meeting.
noun
A quick, sharp sound made when something breaks or closes suddenly. It can also mean a sudden action or reaction.
- I heard a loud snap from the branch.
- The lock shut with a snap.
- It was a snap decision.
adjective
Used in informal English to say something is very easy.
- The test was a snap.
- Fixing the bike was a snap.
- For him, the job was a snap.
Adinary Nuance
Snap is stronger and quicker than break. It suggests a sudden, sharp action or sound, not a slow damage process. Compared with burst, snap usually involves something rigid or controlled, like a stick, string, or comment.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- bẻ gãy
- Spanish
- chasquido
- Chinese
- 啪的一声
- Japanese
- パチン
- Korean
- 딱
Etymology
Snap came into English from Middle English, and it is related to similar Germanic words meaning a quick break or bite. The idea of suddenness has stayed central in modern English.
Common phrases
a snap decisionin a snapsnap out of itsnap shut
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is snap formal or informal?
- It is mostly informal in everyday speech. It can also appear in neutral writing for a sudden break or sound.
- What is the difference between snap and break?
- Snap usually means a quick, sharp break. Break is broader and can describe many kinds of damage or separation.
- Can I say something was a snap?
- Yes. It means something was very easy. This is common in spoken English.