# snapping

/ˈsnæpɪŋ/ (US) · /snˈæpɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/snapping
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. breaking with a sound

verb · CEFR B2

breaking something suddenly with a sharp, cracking noise.

For teachers: breaking or cracking with a sudden, sharp sound; often used to describe brittle materials under tension.

- The dry branches were snapping under our feet as we walked through the woods.
- The sound of snapping twigs alerted the hikers to the presence of a large animal moving through the dense underbrush.

Usage: Often used as an intransitive verb in the progressive aspect to describe a continuous sound.

### 2. speaking sharply

verb · CEFR B2

speaking to someone in a quick, angry, or annoyed way.

For teachers: addressing someone with sudden irritability or sharp, impatient language.

- I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier; I was just very stressed about work.
- The manager had a habit of snapping at his subordinates whenever the quarterly figures failed to meet his expectations.

Usage: Usually takes the preposition 'at' when directed toward a person.

### 3. taking a photo

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

taking a quick, informal photograph of something.

For teachers: taking a photograph, typically in a quick or informal manner without extensive preparation.

- She spent the whole afternoon snapping photos of the street performers.
- Tourists were snapping pictures of the monument from every conceivable angle, oblivious to the local traffic.

Usage: Commonly used with 'photos' or 'pictures' as a direct object.

## Examples

- He is snapping photos of the sunset.
- After weeks of working overtime without a break, she finally ended up snapping at her manager during the meeting.
- The dry branches were snapping underfoot as we hiked through the woods, the sharp sounds echoing through the otherwise silent valley.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.