snap
gb/snˈæp/ us/snˈæp/
A2
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Make a sharp cracking sound
To make a short, loud sound like something breaking.
Usage pattern:
to snap [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'snap' with 'crack' — 'snap' often implies a deliberate or quick action.
Synonyms
break (General term for separating into pieces; may not imply the sharp sound.)
Antonyms
mend (Means to repair or fix something broken, opposite of breaking it.)
Collocations
snap a twig
|snap a pencil
|snap in half
|snap shut
Themes
daily life
|sounds
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She accidentally snapped the pencil in half.
- The branch snapped under his weight.
- I heard the rope snap and then fall to the ground.
- He snapped the lid shut with one hand.
Learner examples
- I snapped the stick.
- The branch snapped in the wind.
- She snapped the toy in two.
- I heard the door snap shut.
Verb
B1
action
2
Speak sharply in anger
To speak in a short, angry way.
Usage pattern:
to snap at [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'snap at' with 'yell at', but 'snap' is often quieter and quicker.
Synonyms
retort (Implements a quick, often clever reply; 'snap' is more emotional and abrupt.)
Antonyms
reply calmly (Responding without irritation contrasts with snapping in anger.)
Collocations
snap at someone
|snap back
|snap angrily
Themes
emotions
|communication
Examples
- She snapped at her brother for interrupting.
- 'Don't touch that!' he snapped.
- I didn't mean to snap at you, I'm just tired.
Learner examples
- He snapped at me when I asked a question.
- She snapped at her friend.
- Dad snapped at us because we were late.
Verb
A2
action
3
Take a quick photograph
To take a photo quickly without much planning.
Usage pattern:
to snap [a photo/picture] of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'snap' always involves sound; in this sense it means taking a photo.
Synonyms
photograph ('Photograph' is more formal and doesn't necessarily imply speed.)
Antonyms
ignore (Not capturing an image at all is the opposite action.)
Collocations
snap a photo
|snap a picture
|snap a selfie
Themes
photography
|daily life
|arts_entertainment
|technology
Examples
- She snapped a photo of the sunset.
- He snapped a picture of the kids playing.
- Tourists were snapping selfies in front of the monument.
Learner examples
- I snapped a photo of my dog.
- She snapped a picture of the cake.
- He snapped a selfie with his phone.
Verb
B2
action
4
Lose self-control suddenly
To suddenly get very angry or upset after being calm before.
Usage pattern:
to snap [mentally/emotionally]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'snap at someone', but here it may not involve words — just losing control.
Synonyms
break down ('Break down' can be slower and more emotional; 'snap' is sudden.)
Antonyms
keep calm (Maintaining composure is opposite to snapping emotionally.)
Collocations
finally snap
|about to snap
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|health
Examples
- After hours of questioning, he finally snapped.
- She snapped under the pressure of work.
- He seemed fine all day, then suddenly snapped.
Learner examples
- He snapped after many problems.
- She snapped at work because she was tired.
- I will snap if this noise continues.
Noun
A2
event
5
Short sharp cracking sound
A short loud sound like something breaking quickly.
Synonyms
crack ('Crack' can refer to both sound and line; 'snap' is purely the sound here.)
Antonyms
silence (Lack of any sound is the opposite.)
Collocations
with a snap
|the snap of a twig
Themes
sounds
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There was a loud snap as the branch broke.
- The door closed with a snap.
- I heard the snap of the rope giving way.
Learner examples
- I heard a snap from the tree.
- The door shut with a snap.
- There was a snap when it broke.
Noun
B1
entity
6
Fastener that clicks together
A small button-like thing on clothes or bags that clicks when closed.
Synonyms
press stud ('Press stud' is more common in British English; same object.)
Antonyms
zipper (Different type of clothing fastener.)
Collocations
metal snap
|press stud snap
Themes
clothing
|daily_life
Examples
- The jacket has snaps instead of buttons.
- She fixed the broken snap on her purse.
- The baby’s onesie closes with snaps.
Learner examples
- My coat has snaps on it.
- The bag closes with a snap.
- The shirt has metal snaps.
Grammar
Dictionary form
snap
IPA
GB/snˈæp/
US/snˈæp/
Syllables & stress
snap (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (snap)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: snap
- Plural: snap, snaps
Verb
- Base: snap
- 3rd Person Singular: snaps
- Present Participle: snapping
- Past: snapped
Word family
Forms
snaps
noun
snapping
verb
snapped
verb
Core family
snappy
adjective
Related words
snapshot
noun B1
Advanced or less common
snappily
adverb
snappish
adjective
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: snapping Verb
- Irregular past: snapped Verb
Expressions
in a snap
1/ˈɪn ə snˈæp/
idiom
informal
Happen very quickly and easily
Happening very fast and without trouble.
Examples
- She finished her homework in a snap.
- This app lets you edit photos in a snap.
like snapping your fingers
1/lˈaɪk snˈæpɪŋ jˈʊɹ fˈɪŋɡɚz/
idiom
informal
Extremely easy or quick action/event
Something that is very easy or happens very fast, just like making a snapping sound with your fingers.
Examples
- For her, solving that puzzle was like snapping her fingers.
- The change happened like snapping your fingers.
snap out of it
1/snˈæp ˈaʊt əv ˈɪt/
idiom
informal
Stop being upset quickly
To quickly stop feeling sad, angry, or not paying attention, and return to normal thinking or behavior.
Examples
- You need to snap out of it and focus on your work.
- He finally snapped out of it after we talked to him.
snap to it
1/snˈæp tə ˈɪt/
idiom
informal
Start working quickly now
To begin working hard or moving fast right away.
Examples
- Come on, snap to it — we’re late!
- He told the team to snap to it before the boss arrived.
snap up
1/snˈæp ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Quickly get something desirable
To get something quickly before other people can get it.
Examples
- Tickets for the concert were snapped up within minutes.
- She snapped up the last piece of cake.