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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
Other entries for this word
 
  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 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 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 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 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 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 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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