6 VERB If an animal such as a dog snaps at you, it opens and shuts its jaws quickly near you, as if it were going to bite you. □ [V + at ] His teeth clicked as he snapped at my ankle. □ [V ] The poodle yapped and snapped.
7 ADJ [ADJ n] A snap decision or action is one that is taken suddenly, often without careful thought. □ I think this is too important for a snap decision.
8 N‑COUNT A snap is a photograph. [INFORMAL ] □ …a snap my mother took last year.
9 VERB If you snap someone or something, you take a photograph of them. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n] He was the first ever non-British photographer to be invited to snap a royal.
10 → see also cold snap
▸ snap out of PHRASAL VERB If someone who is depressed snaps out of it or snaps out of their depression, they suddenly become more cheerful, especially by making an effort. □ [V P P n] Come on, snap out of it! □ [V P P n] Often a patient cannot snap out of their negativity that easily.
▸ snap up PHRASAL VERB If you snap something up , you buy it quickly because it is cheap or is just what you want. □ [V n P ] Every time we get a new delivery of clothes, people are queuing to snap them up. □ [V P n] One eagle-eyed collector snapped up a pair of designer earrings for just £6.
snap|dragon /snæ pdrægən/ (snapdragons ) N‑COUNT A snapdragon is a common garden plant with small colourful flowers that can open and shut like a mouth.
sna p fas|ten|er (snap fasteners ) N‑COUNT A snap fastener is a small metal object used to fasten clothes, made up of two parts which can be pressed together. [AM ] in BRIT, use press stud , popper
snap|per /snæ pə r / (snappers or snapper ) N‑COUNT A snapper is a fish that has sharp teeth and lives in warm seas. ● N‑UNCOUNT Snapper is this fish eaten as food.
snap|pish /snæ p I ʃ/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If someone is snappish , they speak to people in a sharp, unfriendly manner. □ 'That is beautiful, Tony,' Momma said, no longer sounding at all snappish. ● snap|pish|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She said snappishly, 'I'm not pregnant, Brian.'
snap|py /snæ pi/ (snappier , snappiest )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] If someone has a snappy style of speaking, they speak in a quick, clever, brief, and often funny way. □ Each film gets a snappy two-line summary.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] If someone is a snappy dresser or if they wear snappy clothes, they wear smart, stylish clothes. □ She has already made a name for herself as a snappy dresser.
snap|shot /snæ pʃɒt/ (snapshots )
1 N‑COUNT A snapshot is a photograph that is taken quickly and casually.
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] If something provides you with a snapshot of a place or situation, it gives you a brief idea of what that place or situation is like. □ [+ of ] The interviews present a remarkable snapshot of our country in these dark days of recession.
snare /sneə r / (snares , snaring , snared )
1 N‑COUNT A snare is a trap for catching birds or small animals. It consists of a loop of wire or rope which pulls tight around the animal.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe a situation as a snare , you mean that it is a trap from which it is difficult to escape. [FORMAL ] □ Given data which are free from bias there are further snares to avoid in statistical work.
3 VERB If someone snares an animal, they catch it using a snare. □ [V n] He'd snared a rabbit earlier in the day.
sna re drum (snare drums ) N‑COUNT A snare drum is a small drum used in orchestras and bands. Snare drums are usually played with wooden sticks, and make a continuous sound.
snarl /snɑː r l/ (snarls , snarling , snarled )
1 VERB When an animal snarls , it makes a fierce, rough sound in its throat while showing its teeth. □ [V ] He raced ahead up into the bush, barking and snarling. □ [V + at ] The dogs snarled at the intruders. ● N‑COUNT Snarl is also a noun. □ With a snarl, the second dog made a dive for his heel.
2 VERB If you snarl something, you say it in a fierce, angry way. □ [V with quote] 'Let go of me,' he snarled. □ [V + at ] I vaguely remember snarling at someone who stepped on my foot. □ [V n] 'Aubrey.' Hyde seemed almost to snarl the name. ● N‑COUNT Snarl is also a noun. □ His eyes flashed, and his lips were drawn back in a furious snarl.
3 N‑COUNT A snarl is a disorganized mass of things. □ [+ of ] She was tangled in a snarl of logs and branches.
sna rl-up (snarl-ups ) N‑COUNT A snarl-up is a disorganized situation such as a traffic jam, in which things are unable to move or work normally. [BRIT , INFORMAL ]
snatch /snæ tʃ/ (snatches , snatching , snatched )
1 VERB If you snatch something or snatch at something, you take it or pull it away quickly. □ [V n prep] Mick snatched the cards from Archie's hand. □ [V n with adv] He snatched up the phone. □ [V + at ] The thin wind snatched at her skirt.
2 VERB [usu passive] If something is snatched from you, it is stolen, usually using force. If a person is snatched , they are taken away by force. □ [be V -ed] If your bag is snatched, let it go.