ENGLISH
REFERENCE

snap

v. · n. · adj.
US //ˈsnæp// UK //snˈæp// snap
  1. 1 to break suddenly (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to break something quickly with a sharp cracking sound.

    to fracture or break apart suddenly, typically under tension or pressure, accompanied by a sharp report.

    Example

    The dry branch snapped when I stepped on it in the woods.

    Example

    The mast snapped under the sheer force of the gale, leaving the vessel at the mercy of the rising tide.
  2. 2 to lose patience (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to suddenly lose your temper or control because of stress.

    to suffer a sudden psychological breakdown or loss of self-control under emotional or mental strain.

    Example

    After weeks of working late, he finally snapped and shouted at his boss.

    Example

    The witness appeared composed initially, but she eventually snapped under the relentless pressure of the cross-examination.
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  1. 3 to take a photo (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    to take a quick photograph.

    to photograph something quickly or informally.

    Example

    He snapped a few pictures of the sunset before we left the beach.

    Example

    The tourist snapped several candid shots of the street performers before moving on to the cathedral.
  2. 4 a sharp sound (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a sudden, short, cracking sound.

    a sudden sharp noise, such as that produced by something breaking or by the fingers striking the palm.

    Example

    The silence was broken by the snap of a twig behind us.

    Example

    The distinct snap of the briefcase closing echoed through the empty boardroom.
  3. 5 a cold period (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a short period of very cold weather.

    a brief, sudden interval of specific weather conditions, almost exclusively used in the collocation 'cold snap'.

    Example

    A sudden cold snap in April killed many of the young flowers.

    Example

    Meteorologists warned that the unexpected cold snap could cause significant damage to the region's citrus crops.
    • heatwave
  4. 6 a fastener (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    a small metal button used to close clothes that makes a clicking sound.

    a fastening device consisting of two interlocking discs that close with a clicking sound.

    Example

    The baby's jacket has snaps instead of buttons to make it easier to put on.

    Example

    The designer opted for hidden snaps rather than a zipper to maintain the garment's minimalist aesthetic.
    • press stud
    • popper
  5. 7 easy task (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Slang

    something that is very easy to do.

    a task or activity that requires little effort to complete successfully.

    Example

    The exam was a snap because I had studied all weekend.

    Example

    After years of professional experience, navigating the complex software was a snap for the lead developer.
  6. 8 done quickly (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    done or decided very quickly without much thought.

    made or done suddenly and without prior deliberation or preparation.

    Example

    You shouldn't make a snap decision about which car to buy.

    Example

    The prime minister called a snap election in an attempt to capitalise on his party's recent surge in popularity.
  7. 9 physics movement (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Humorous Physics

    a technical word for a specific type of fast movement in physics.

    the fourth derivative of the position vector with respect to time; the rate of change of jerk.

    Example

    In our advanced mechanics class, we learned how to calculate snap.

    Example

    The engineer noted that while the jerk was within limits, the snap of the robotic arm's movement was causing structural fatigue.

    Usage

    Often used in the sequence 'snap, crackle, and pop'.
    • jounce
  8. 10 computing package (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    a type of software package used on some computer systems.

    a software deployment and package management system that uses containerised applications.

    Example

    You can install the latest version of the editor as a snap.

    Example

    The administrator preferred using snaps for server applications to ensure that dependencies remained isolated from the core operating system core.

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