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snap

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verb British English pronunciation: snap /snæp/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theysnap
he/she/itsnaps
present participlesnapping
past tensesnapped
past participlesnapped
 
  1. 1
    [intransitive/transitive] Sound effect: snap to suddenly break something with a short loud noise, or to be broken in this way

    When the rope snapped, Davis fell into the water.

    The storm snapped young trees like matchsticks.

    snap (something) off:

    Ken snapped off the smaller branches.

    snap something in half/two:

    Snap the biscuit in two and share it.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  snapThesaurus entry for this meaning of snap
  2. 2
    [intransitive/transitive] to quickly move something such as a light switch so that it makes a short sound, or to be moved quickly in this way
    snap (something) open/shut/together/on/off:

    She quickly snapped her handbag shut.

    It’s really simple to build – the bits just snap together.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  snapThesaurus entry for this meaning of snap
  3. 3
    [intransitive/transitive] if an animal such as a dog snaps you or snaps at you, it bites you or tries to bite you
    snap at:

    A terrier was snapping at his heels.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  snapThesaurus entry for this meaning of snap
  4. 4
    [intransitive] to suddenly lose control and become extremely angry or upset because a situation has become too annoying or difficult

    She was bound to snap under all that pressure.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  snapThesaurus entry for this meaning of snap
    1. a.
      [intransitive/transitive] to speak to someone in a sudden, angry way

      ‘What do you want now?’ he snapped angrily.

      snap at:

      I’m sorry I snapped at you just now.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  snapThesaurus entry for this meaning of snap
  5. 5
    [transitive] informal to take a photograph of someone or something

    He worked as a photographer, snapping the young Brigitte Bardot.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  snapThesaurus entry for this meaning of snap

phrasal verbs

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This is the British English definition of snap. View American English definition of snap.

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