snap (snap)

verb (snaps, snapping, snapped)

• 1break suddenly and completely, typically with a sharp cracking sound: [no object]: guitar strings kept snapping [with object]: dead twigs can be snapped off
• [no object] emit a sudden, sharp cracking sound: banners snapping in the breeze
• [with complement or adverbial] move or alter with a brisk movement and typically a sharp sound: [with object]: Rosa snapped her bag shut [no object]: his mouth snapped into a tight, straight line
• [no object] suddenly lose one’s self-control: she claims she snapped after years of violence

• 2 [no object] (of an animal) make a sudden audible bite: a dog was snapping at his heels

• 3 [reporting verb] say something quickly and irritably: [no object]: McIllvanney snapped at her [with direct speech]: ‘I really don’t much care,’ she snapped

• 4 [with object] take a snapshot of: he planned to spend the time snapping rare wildlife [no object]: photographers were snapping away at her

• 5 [with object] American Football put (the ball) into play by a quick backward movement: time will not be resumed until the ball is snapped on the next play

noun

• 1a sudden, sharp cracking sound or movement: she closed her purse with a snap
• [mass noun] vigour or liveliness of style or action; zest: the snap of the dialogue

• 2 [in singular] a hurried, irritable tone or manner: ‘I’m still waiting,’ he said with a snap

• 3a snapshot: holiday snaps

• 4 [mass noun] British a card game in which cards from two piles are turned over simultaneously and players call ‘snap’ as quickly as possible when two similar cards are exposed.
• [as exclamation] said when one notices that one has or does the identical thing to someone else: ‘Snap!’ They looked at each other’s ties with a smile

• 5a sudden brief spell of cold or otherwise distinctive weather: a cold snap

• 6 [mass noun] Northern English food, especially food taken to work to be eaten during a break.

• 7 [in singular] North American informal an easy task: a control panel that makes operation a snap

• 8 (usually snaps) North American a press stud: a black cloth jacket with a lot of snaps and attachments

adjective

• done or taken on the spur of the moment, unexpectedly, or without notice: a snap decision he could call a snap election