snag1

Pronunciation: /snag/

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Definition of snag

noun

1an unexpected or hidden obstacle or drawback:there’s one small snag

2a sharp, angular, or jagged projection:keep an emery board handy in case of nail snags
a rent or tear in fabric caused by a snag.

3North American a dead tree: dozens of species of birds and mammals use standing snags for nesting

verb (snags, snagging, snagged)

[with object]

1catch or tear (something) on a sharp projection:thorns snagged his sweater
[no object] become caught on a sharp projection:radio aerials snagged on bushes and branches

2North American informal catch or obtain:it’s the first time they’ve snagged the star for a photo

Derivatives

snaggy: snag¹ (sense 2 of the noun).

Origin:

late 16th century (in snag¹ (sense 2 of the noun)): probably of Scandinavian origin. The early sense 'stump sticking out from a tree trunk' gave rise to a US sense 'submerged piece of timber obstructing navigation', of which sense 1 is originally a figurative use. Current verb senses arose in the 19th century

snag in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of snag in the US English dictionary

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Other

snag1

noun

verb (snags, snagging, snagged)

Derivatives

snaggy

Origin:

snag in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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