snap
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to break something quickly with a sharp cracking sound.
v.to fracture or break apart suddenly, typically under tension or pressure, accompanied by a sharp report.
Simple“The dry branch snapped when I stepped on it in the woods.”
In context“The mast snapped under the sheer force of the gale, leaving the vessel at the mercy of the rising tide.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to suddenly lose your temper or control because of stress.
v.to suffer a sudden psychological breakdown or loss of self-control under emotional or mental strain.
Simple“After weeks of working late, he finally snapped and shouted at his boss.”
In context“The witness appeared composed initially, but she eventually snapped under the relentless pressure of the cross-examination.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
v.to take a quick photograph.
v.to photograph something quickly or informally.
Simple“He snapped a few pictures of the sunset before we left the beach.”
In context“The tourist snapped several candid shots of the street performers before moving on to the cathedral.”
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a sudden, short, cracking sound.
n.a sudden sharp noise, such as that produced by something breaking or by the fingers striking the palm.
Simple“The silence was broken by the snap of a twig behind us.”
In context“The distinct snap of the briefcase closing echoed through the empty boardroom.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a short period of very cold weather.
n.a brief, sudden interval of specific weather conditions, almost exclusively used in the collocation 'cold snap'.
Simple“A sudden cold snap in April killed many of the young flowers.”
In context“Meteorologists warned that the unexpected cold snap could cause significant damage to the region's citrus crops.”
- 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a small metal button used to close clothes that makes a clicking sound.
n.a fastening device consisting of two interlocking discs that close with a clicking sound.
Simple“The baby's jacket has snaps instead of buttons to make it easier to put on.”
In context“The designer opted for hidden snaps rather than a zipper to maintain the garment's minimalist aesthetic.”
Synonymspress studpopper - 07 C1 Advanced
n.something that is very easy to do.
n.a task or activity that requires little effort to complete successfully.
Simple“The exam was a snap because I had studied all weekend.”
In context“After years of professional experience, navigating the complex software was a snap for the lead developer.”
- 08 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.done or decided very quickly without much thought.
adj.made or done suddenly and without prior deliberation or preparation.
Simple“You shouldn't make a snap decision about which car to buy.”
In context“The prime minister called a snap election in an attempt to capitalise on his party's recent surge in popularity.”
Antonyms - 09 C2 Proficiency
n.a technical word for a specific type of fast movement in physics.
n.the fourth derivative of the position vector with respect to time; the rate of change of jerk.
Simple“In our advanced mechanics class, we learned how to calculate snap.”
In context“The engineer noted that while the jerk was within limits, the snap of the robotic arm's movement was causing structural fatigue.”
UsageOften used in the sequence 'snap, crackle, and pop'.
Synonymsjounce - 10 C1 Advanced
n.a type of software package used on some computer systems.
n.a software deployment and package management system that uses containerised applications.
Simple“You can install the latest version of the editor as a snap.”
In context“The administrator preferred using snaps for server applications to ensure that dependencies remained isolated from the core operating system core.”
“Trio Piece is begun by Prieto and Iyer in staccato interval-hops and asymmetrical snare-drum snaps before Threadgill’s skimming flute lines glide in.”
“By 11.40am, the roughly 1,000 wristbands had all been snapped up.”