Snap vs. Break: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 18, 2023
"Snap" implies a quick, sudden fracture or action; "break" is a more general term for separating into parts, not necessarily suddenly.
Key Differences
"Snap" often conveys a sense of immediacy and abruptness, suggesting an action that happens quickly and is frequently associated with a sharp sound; "break" is a broader term that refers to the action of separating something into two or more pieces, often implying a more gradual or forceful action, not necessarily accompanied by sound.
When something snaps, it typically implies a certain degree of tension that has been suddenly released, like a twig that snaps underfoot; "break," however, can refer to any form of disruption or interruption in a surface or state, like waves breaking on the shore, without the prerequisite of tension.
The term "snap" is often used in informal language to express a quick action or reaction, such as snapping one's fingers or someone snapping at another in irritation; "break," on the other hand, has multiple meanings across various contexts, like taking a break from work or breaking bad news, showing its diverse usage.
In a mechanical context, "snap" usually refers to a sudden failure due to pressure or tension, like a cable snapping; whereas "break" might indicate a more comprehensive malfunction or damage, such as machinery breaking down.
Both "snap" and "break" have metaphorical uses as well, with "snap" often used to describe a sudden emotional reaction, like someone snapping under pressure, and "break" can refer to emotional or circumstantial changes, like someone breaking free from constraints.
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Quick, sudden action
General separation, not always sudden
Sound
Often associated with a sharp noise
Not necessarily associated with a noise
Contextual Usage
Informal, immediate reactions
Diverse, various contexts
Mechanical Implication
Sudden failure due to tension
Comprehensive malfunction or damage
Metaphorical Use
Sudden emotional reactions
Emotional or circumstantial changes
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Snap and Break Definitions
Snap
A quick, sudden action taken.
With a snap of his fingers, the lights turned on.
Break
To separate into pieces under a blow or strain.
I accidentally break the vase.
Snap
To make a brisk sharp cracking sound
"Logs snapped in the grate" (James Fox).
Break
To interrupt a continuity, uniformity, or arrangement.
Let's break the pattern.
Snap
To break suddenly with a brisk, sharp, cracking sound.
Break
To fail to observe a law, regulation, or agreement.
He broke his promise.
Snap
To give way abruptly under pressure or tension
With so many people crowding onto the platform, its supports snapped.
Break
To disclose or make known.
The journalist broke the news.
Snap
To suffer a physical or mental breakdown, especially while under stress
Feared that the troops would snap from fatigue.
Break
To surpass a limit, restriction, or boundary.
The sales broke the previous record.
Snap
To bring the jaws briskly together, often with a clicking sound; bite.
Break
To cause to separate into pieces suddenly or violently; smash.
Snap
To take up something suddenly and eagerly; snatch or grasp
Snap at a chance to go to China.
Break
To divide into pieces, as by bending or cutting
Break crackers for a baby.
Snap
To speak abruptly or sharply
Snapped at the child.
Break
To separate into components or parts
Broke the work into discrete tasks.
Snap
To move swiftly and smartly
Snap to attention.
Break
To snap off or detach
Broke a twig from the tree.
Snap
To flash or appear to flash light; sparkle
Eyes that snapped with anger.
Break
To cause to undergo a fracture of (a bone, for example)
The impact of the fall broke his leg.
Snap
To open, close, or fit together with a click
The lock snapped shut. The jacket snaps in front.
Break
To experience a fracture in (a bone, for example)
I broke my wrist when skateboarding.
Snap
To snatch at with the teeth or mouth; bite
The turtle snapped the lettuce from my hand.
Break
To crack without separating into pieces
Broke the mirror.
Snap
To pull apart or break with a snapping sound.
Break
To destroy the completeness of (a group of related items)
Broke the set of books by giving some away.
Snap
To utter abruptly or sharply
The sergeant snapped out a command.
Break
To exchange for smaller monetary units
Break a dollar.
Snap
To cause to emit a snapping sound
Snap a whip.
Break
To vary or disrupt the uniformity or continuity of
A plain that was broken by low hills.
Caught the ball without breaking stride.
Snap
To close or latch with a snapping sound
Snapped the purse shut.
Break
(Electricity) To render (a circuit) inoperative by disruption; open.
Snap
To cause to move suddenly
"His head was snapped back by a sudden scream from the bed" (James Michener).
Break
To open (a shotgun or similar firearm) at the breech, as for loading or cleaning.
Snap
To take (a photograph).
Break
To force or make a way through; puncture or penetrate
The blade barely broke the skin.
Snap
To photograph
Snapped the winner on the podium.
Break
To part or pierce the surface of
A dolphin breaking water.
Snap
(Football) To pass (the ball) from the ground back between the legs to begin a down; hike.
Break
To produce (a sweat) copiously on the skin, as from exercise.
Snap
A sudden sharp cracking sound or the action producing such a sound.
Break
To force one's way out of; escape from
Break jail.
Snap
A sudden breaking.
Break
To make or bring about by cutting or forcing
Break a trail through the woods.
Snap
A clasp, catch, or other fastening device that operates with a snapping sound.
Break
To find an opening or flaw in
They couldn't break my alibi.
Snap
A sudden attempt to bite, snatch, or grasp.
Break
To find the solution or key to; uncover the basic elements and arrangement of
Break a code.
Break a spy ring.
Snap
The sound produced by rapid movement of a finger from the thumb tip to the base of the thumb.
Break
To make known, as news
Break a story.
Snap
The act of producing this sound.
Break
To surpass or outdo
Broke the league's home-run record.
Snap
The sudden release of something held under pressure or tension.
Break
To overcome or put an end to, especially by force or strong opposition
Break a deadlock in negotiations.
Break a strike.
Snap
A thin, crisp, usually circular cookie
A ginger snap.
Break
(Sports) To win a game on (an opponent's service), as in tennis.
Snap
Capacity to make a snapping sound; elasticity
This waistband has lost its snap.
Break
To lessen the force or effect of
Break a fall.
Snap
(Informal) Briskness, liveliness, or energy.
Break
To render useless or inoperative
We accidentally broke the radio.
Snap
A brief spell of brisk, cold weather.
Break
To weaken or destroy, as in spirit or health; overwhelm with adversity
"For a hero loves the world till it breaks him" (William Butler Yeats).
Snap
Something accomplished without effort.
Break
To cause the ruin or failure of (an enterprise, for example)
Indiscretion broke both marriage and career.
Snap
A quick breaking or cracking sound or the action of producing such a sound.
Break
To reduce in rank; demote.
Snap
A sudden break.
Break
To cause to be without money or to go into bankruptcy.
Snap
An attempt to seize, bite, attack, or grab.
Break
To fail to fulfill; cancel
Break an engagement.
Snap
The act of snapping the fingers; making a sound by pressing a finger against the thumb and suddenly releasing to strike the hand.
Break
To fail to conform to; violate
Break the speed limit.
Snap
A fastening device that makes a snapping sound when used.
Break
(Law) To cause (a will) to be invalidated because of inconsistency with state inheritance laws or as a result of other legal insufficiency.
Snap
(informal) A photograph; a snapshot.
We took a few snaps of the old church before moving on.
Break
To give up (a habit).
Snap
The sudden release of something held under pressure or tension.
Break
To cause to give up a habit
They managed to break themselves of smoking.
Snap
A thin circular cookie or similar baked good.
A ginger snap
Break
To train to obey; tame
The horse was difficult to break.
Snap
A brief, sudden period of a certain weather; used primarily in the phrase cold snap.
Break
To become separated into pieces or fragments.
Snap
A very short period of time (figuratively, the time taken to snap one's fingers), or a task that can be accomplished in such a period.
It'll be a snap to get that finished.
I can fix most vacuum cleaners in a snap.
Break
To become cracked or split.
Snap
A snap bean such as Phaseolus vulgaris.
Break
To become fractured
His arm broke from the fall.
Snap
(American football) A backward pass or handoff of a football from its position on the ground that puts the ball in play; a hike.
Break
To become unusable or inoperative
The television broke.
Snap
(colloquial) A rivet: a scrapbooking embellishment.
Break
To give way; collapse
The scaffolding broke during the storm.
Snap
(fishing) A small device resembling a safety pin, used to attach the bait or lure to the line.
Break
To burst
The blister broke.
Snap
A small meal, a snack; lunch.
Break
To intrude
They broke in upon our conversation.
Snap
(uncountable) A card game, primarily for children, in which players cry "snap" to claim pairs of matching cards as they are turned up.
Break
To filter in or penetrate
Sunlight broke into the room.
Snap
(obsolete) A greedy fellow.
Break
To scatter or disperse; part
The clouds broke after the storm.
Snap
That which is, or may be, snapped up; something bitten off, seized, or obtained by a single quick movement; hence, a bite, morsel, or fragment; a scrap.
Break
(Games) To make the opening shot that scatters the grouped balls in billiards or pool.
Snap
Briskness; vigour; energy; decision
Break
(Sports) To separate from a clinch in boxing.
Snap
Any circumstance out of which money may be made or an advantage gained. used primarily in the phrase soft snap.
Break
(Sports) To win a game on the opponent's service, as in tennis
Broke twice in the first set.
Snap
(slang) Something that is easy or effortless.
Break
To move away or escape suddenly
Broke from his grip and ran off.
Snap
A snapper, or snap beetle.
Break
To come forth or begin from a state of latency; come into being or emerge
A storm was breaking over Miami. Crocuses broke from the soil.
Snap
Jounce (the fourth derivative of the position vector with respect to time), followed by crackle and pop
Break
To emerge above the surface of water.
Snap
A quick offhand shot with a firearm; a snap shot.
Break
To become known or noticed
The big story broke on Friday.
Snap
(colloquial) Something of no value.
Not worth a snap
Break
To change direction or move suddenly
The quarterback broke to the left to avoid a tackler.
Snap
(social media) A visual message sent through the Snapchat application.
Break
(Baseball) To curve near or over the plate
The pitch broke away from the batter.
Snap
(Linux) A package provided for the application sandboxing system snapd developed by Canonical.
Break
To change suddenly from one tone quality or musical register to another
His voice broke into a falsetto.
Snap
(uncountable) A crisp or pithy quality; epigrammatic point or force.
Break
(Linguistics) To undergo breaking.
Snap
A tool used by riveters.
Break
To change to a gait different from the one set. Used of a horse.
Snap
A tool used by glass-moulders.
Break
To interrupt or cease an activity
We'll break for coffee at ten.
Snap
A brief theatrical engagement.
Break
To discontinue an association, an agreement, or a relationship
The partners broke over a financial matter. One hates to break with an old friend.
Snap
A cheat or sharper.
Break
To diminish or discontinue abruptly
The fever is breaking.
Snap
A newsflash.
Break
To diminish in or lose physical or spiritual strength; weaken or succumb
Their good cheer broke after repeated setbacks.
Snap
To fracture or break apart suddenly.
He snapped his stick in anger.
If you bend it too much, it will snap.
Break
To decrease sharply in value or quantity
Stock prices broke when the firm suddenly announced layoffs.
Snap
(intransitive) To give forth or produce a sharp cracking noise; to crack.
Blazing firewood snaps.
Break
To come to an end
The cold spell broke yesterday.
Snap
(intransitive) To attempt to seize or bite with the teeth, beak, etc.
A dog snaps at a passenger. A fish snaps at the bait.
Break
To collapse or crash into surf or spray
Waves that were breaking along the shore.
Snap
(intransitive) To attempt to seize with eagerness.
She snapped at the chance to appear on television.
Break
(Informal) To take place or happen; proceed
Things have been breaking well for them.
Snap
(intransitive) To speak abruptly or sharply.
He snapped at me for the slightest mistake.
Break
To engage in breaking; break dance.
Snap
(intransitive) To give way abruptly and loudly.
Break
The act or an occurrence of breaking.
Snap
(intransitive) To suffer a mental breakdown, usually while under tension.
She should take a break before she snaps.
Break
The result of breaking, as a crack, separation, or opening
A break in the clouds.
Snap
(intransitive) To flash or appear to flash as with light.
Break
The beginning or emergence of something
The break of day.
Snap
(intransitive) To fit or fasten together with a snapping sound.
Break
A sudden movement; a dash
The dog made a break toward the open field.
Snap
To jump to a fixed position relative to another element.
The floating toolbar will snap to the edge of the screen when dragged towards it.
Break
An escape
A prison break.
Snap
(transitive) To snatch with or as if with the teeth.
Break
An interruption or a disruption in continuity or regularity
Television programming without commercial breaks.
Snap
(transitive) To pull apart with a snapping sound; to pop loose.
Break
A pause or interval, as from work
A coffee break.
Snap
(transitive) To say abruptly or sharply.
Break
A sudden or marked change
A break in the weather.
Snap
To speak to abruptly or sharply; to treat snappishly; usually with up.
Break
A violation
A security break.
Snap
(transitive) To cause something to emit a snapping sound, especially by closing it rapidly.
To snap a fastener
To snap a whip
Break
An often sudden piece of luck, especially good luck
Finally got the big break in life.
Snap
(transitive) To close something using a snap as a fastener.
Break
An allowance or indulgence; accommodating treatment
The boss gave me a break because I'd been sick.
Snap
(transitive) A video of a person snapping their fingers.Alternative snapping techniqueTo snap one's fingers: to make a snapping sound, often by pressing the thumb and an opposing finger of the same hand together and suddenly releasing the grip so that the finger hits against the palm; alternatively, by bringing the index finger quickly down onto the middle finger and thumb.
Break
A favorable price or reduction
A tax break for charitable contributions.
Snap
(transitive) To cause to move suddenly and smartly.
Break
A severing of ties
Made a break with the past.
A break between the two families.
Snap
(transitive) To take a photograph; to release a camera's shutter (which may make a snapping sound).
He snapped a picture of me with my mouth open and my eyes closed.
Break
(Informal) A faux pas.
Snap
To send a visual message through the Snapchat application.
Break
A sudden decline in prices.
Snap
To put (a football) in play by a backward pass or handoff from its position on the ground; to hike (a football).
He can snap the ball to a back twenty yards behind him.
Break
A caesura.
Snap
To misfire.
The gun snapped.
Break
The space between two paragraphs.
Snap
To catch out sharply (a batsman who has just snicked a bowled ball).
Break
A series of three dots ( ... ) used to indicate an omission in a text.
Snap
The cry used in a game of snap when winning a hand.
Break
The place where a word is or should be divided at the end of a line.
Snap
"I've got one the same!", "Me too!"
Snap! We've both got pink buckets and spades.
Break
(Electricity) Interruption of a flow of current.
Snap
(British) Ritual utterance of agreement (after the cry in the card game snap).
Break
(Geology) A marked change in topography such as a fault or deep valley.
Snap
(North America) Used in place of expletive to express surprise, usually in response to a negative statement or news; often used facetiously.
I just ran over your phone with my car. —Oh, snap!
Break
(Nautical) The point of discontinuity between two levels on the deck of a ship.
Snap
Ritual utterance used after something is said by two people at exactly the same time.
—Wasn't that John? —Wasn't that John? —Snap!
Break
The point at which one register or tonal quality changes to another.
Snap
Done, made, performed, etc., quickly and unexpectedly, or without deliberation.
A snap judgment or decision
A snap political convention
Break
The change itself.
Snap
To break at once; to break short, as substances that are brittle.
Breaks the doors open, snaps the locks.
Break
An improvised instrumental solo played in jazz and other popular music while the other musicians stop or play softly.
Snap
To strike, to hit, or to shut, with a sharp sound.
Break
A change in a horse's gait to one different from that set by the rider.
Snap
To bite or seize suddenly, especially with the teeth.
He, by playing too often at the mouth of death, has been snapped by it at last.
Break
(Sports) The swerving of a ball from a straight path of flight, as in baseball or cricket.
Snap
To break upon suddenly with sharp, angry words; to treat snappishly; - usually with up.
Break
(Sports) The beginning of a race.
Snap
To crack; to cause to make a sharp, cracking noise; as, to snap a whip.
MacMorian snapped his fingers repeatedly.
Break
A fast break.
Snap
To project with a snap.
Break
The separation after a clinch in boxing.
Snap
To catch out sharply (a batsman who has just snicked a bowled ball).
Break
(Games) The opening shot that scatters the grouped balls in billiards or pool.
Snap
To break short, or at once; to part asunder suddenly; as, a mast snaps; a needle snaps.
But this weapon will snap short, unfaithful to the hand that employs it.
Break
(Games) A run or unbroken series of successful shots, as in billiards or croquet.
Snap
To give forth, or produce, a sharp, cracking noise; to crack; as, blazing firewood snaps.
Break
Sports & Games Failure to score a strike or a spare in a given bowling frame.
Snap
To make an effort to bite; to aim to seize with the teeth; to catch eagerly (at anything); - often with at; as, a dog snapsat a passenger; a fish snaps at the bait.
Break
(Sports) A service break.
Snap
To utter sharp, harsh, angry words; - often with at; as, to snap at a child.
Break
Variant of brake6.
Snap
To miss fire; as, the gun snapped.
Break
Break dancing.
Snap
Of the eyes, to emit sudden, brief sparkles like those of a snapping fire, as sometimes in anger.
Break
To separate into two or more pieces, to fracture or crack, by a process that cannot easily be reversed for reassembly.
If the vase falls to the floor, it might break.
In order to tend to the accident victim, he will break the window of the car.
Snap
A sudden breaking or rupture of any substance.
Break
To crack or fracture (bone) under a physical strain.
His ribs broke under the weight of the rocks piled on his chest.
She broke her neck.
He slipped on the ice and broke his leg.
Snap
A sudden, eager bite; a sudden seizing, or effort to seize, as with the teeth.
Break
(transitive) To divide (something, often money) into smaller units.
Can you break a hundred-dollar bill for me?
The wholesaler broke the container loads into palettes and boxes for local retailers.
Snap
A sudden, sharp motion or blow, as with the finger sprung from the thumb, or the thumb from the finger.
Break
(transitive) To cause (a person or animal) to lose spirit or will; to crush the spirits of.
Her child's death broke Angela.
Interrogators have used many forms of torture to break prisoners of war.
The interrogator hoped to break her to get her testimony against her accomplices.
Snap
A sharp, abrupt sound, as that made by the crack of a whip; as, the snap of the trigger of a gun.
Break
To turn an animal into a beast of burden.
You have to break an elephant before you can use it as an animal of burden.
Snap
A greedy fellow.
Break
(intransitive) To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief.
My heart is breaking.
Snap
That which is, or may be, snapped up; something bitten off, seized, or obtained by a single quick movement; hence, a bite, morsel, or fragment; a scrap.
He's a nimble fellow,And alike skilled in every liberal science,As having certain snaps of all.
Break
(transitive) To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate.
I've got to break this habit I have of biting my nails.
To break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey
I had won four games in a row, but now you've broken my streak of luck.
Snap
A sudden severe interval or spell; - applied to the weather; as, a cold snap.
Break
To end the run of (a play).
Snap
A small catch or fastening held or closed by means of a spring, or one which closes with a snapping sound, as the catch of a bracelet, necklace, clasp of a book, etc.
Break
(transitive) To ruin financially.
The recession broke some small businesses.
Snap
A snap beetle.
Break
To fail in business; to go broke, to become bankrupt.
Snap
A thin, crisp cake, usually small, and flavored with ginger; - used chiefly in the plural.
Break
Of prices on the stock exchange: to fall suddenly.
Snap
Briskness; vigor; energy; decision.
Break
(transitive) To violate; to fail to adhere to.
When you go to Vancouver, promise me you won't break the law.
He broke his vows by cheating on his wife.
Break one's word
Time travel would break the laws of physics.
Snap
Any circumstance out of which money may be made or an advantage gained.
Break
To go down, in terms of temperature, indicating that the most dangerous part of the illness has passed.
Susan's fever broke at about 3 AM, and the doctor said the worst was over.
Snap
Any task, labor, set of circumstances, or the like, that yields satisfactory results or gives pleasure with little trouble or effort, as an easy course of study, a job where work is light, a bargain, etc.
Break
To end.
The forecast says the hot weather will break by midweek.
Snap
A snap shot with a firearm.
Break
To begin or end.
We ran to find shelter before the storm broke.
Around midday the storm broke, and the afternoon was calm and sunny.
Snap
A snapshot.
Break
To arrive.
Morning has broken.
The day broke crisp and clear.
Snap
Something of no value; as, not worth a snap.
Break
To render (a game) unchallenging by altering its rules or exploiting loopholes or weaknesses in them in a way that gives a player an unfair advantage.
Changing the rules to let white have three extra queens would break chess.
I broke the RPG by training every member of my party to cast fireballs as well as use swords.
Snap
The action of snapping the ball back, from the center usu. to the quarterback, which commences the play (down), and, if the clock had stopped, restarts the timer clock; a snap back.
Break
To stop, or to cause to stop, functioning properly or altogether.
On the hottest day of the year the refrigerator broke.
Did you two break the trolley by racing with it?
Snap
Done, performed, made, executed, carried through, or the like, quickly and without deliberation; as, a snap judgment or decision; a snap political convention.
Break
To cause (some feature of a program or piece of software) to stop functioning properly; to cause a regression.
Adding 64-bit support broke backward compatibility with earlier versions.
Snap
The act of catching an object with the hands;
Mays made the catch with his back to the plate
He made a grab for the ball before it landed
Martin's snatch at the bridle failed and the horse raced away
The infielder's snap and throw was a single motion
Break
(transitive) To cause (a barrier) to no longer bar.
Break a seal
Snap
A spell of cold weather;
A cold snap in the middle of May
Break
(specifically) To cause the shell of (an egg) to crack, so that the inside (yolk) is accessible.
Snap
Tender green beans without strings that easily snap into sections
Break
(specifically) To open (a safe) without using the correct key, combination, or the like.
Snap
A crisp round cookie flavored with ginger
Break
(transitive) To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce.
The cavalry were not able to break the British squares.
Snap
The noise produced by the rapid movement of a finger from the tip to the base of the thumb on the same hand;
Servants appeared at the snap of his fingers
Break
To collapse into surf, after arriving in shallow water.
Snap
A sudden sharp noise;
The crack of a whip
He heard the cracking of the ice
He can hear the snap of a twig
Break
(intransitive) To burst forth; to make its way; to come into view.
Snap
A sudden breaking
Break
(intransitive) To interrupt or cease one's work or occupation temporarily; to go on break.
Let's break for lunch.
Snap
The tendency of a body to return to its original shape after it has been stretched or compressed;
The waistband had lost its snap
Break
(transitive) To interrupt (a fall) by inserting something so that the falling object does not (immediately) hit something else beneath.
He survived the jump out the window because the bushes below broke his fall.
Snap
An informal photograph; usually made with a small hand-held camera;
My snapshots haven't been developed yet
He tried to get unposed shots of his friends
Break
To disclose or make known an item of news, a band, etc.
The newsman wanted to break a big story, something that would make him famous.
I don't know how to break this to you, but your cat is not coming back.
When news of their divorce broke, ...
Snap
A fastener used on clothing; fastens with a snapping sound;
Children can manage snaps better than buttons
Break
To become audible suddenly.
Snap
Any undertaking that is easy to do;
Marketing this product will be no picnic
Break
(transitive) To change a steady state abruptly.
His coughing broke the silence.
His turning on the lights broke the enchantment.
With the mood broken, what we had been doing seemed pretty silly.
Snap
The act of snapping the fingers; movement of a finger from the tip to the base of the thumb on the same hand;
He gave his fingers a snap
Break
To (attempt to) disengage and flee to; to make a run for.
Snap
(American football) putting the ball in play by passing it (between the legs) to a back;
The quarterback fumbled the snap
Break
To suddenly become.
Things began breaking bad for him when his parents died.
The arrest was standard, when suddenly the suspect broke ugly.
Snap
Utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone;
The sales clerky snapped a reply at the angry customer
The guard snarled at us
Break
To become deeper at puberty.
Snap
Separate or cause to separate abruptly;
The rope snapped
Tear the paper
Break
To alter in type due to emotion or strain: in men, generally to go up, in women, sometimes to go down; to crack.
His voice breaks when he gets emotional.
Snap
Break suddenly and abruptly, as under tension;
The rope snapped
Break
(transitive) To surpass or do better than (a specific number); to do better than (a record), setting a new record.
He broke the men's 100-meter record.
I can't believe she broke 3 under par!
The policeman broke sixty on a residential street in his hurry to catch the thief.
Snap
Move or strike with a noise;
He clicked on the light
His arm was snapped forward
Break
:
Snap
Snap close with a sound;
The lock snapped shut
Break
To win a game (against one's opponent) as receiver.
He needs to break serve to win the match.
Snap
Make a sharp sound;
His fingers snapped
Break
To make the first shot; to scatter the balls from the initial neat arrangement.
Is it your or my turn to break?
Snap
Move with a snapping sound;
Bullets snapped past us
Break
To remove one of the two men on (a point).
Snap
To grasp hastily or eagerly;
Before I could stop him the dog snatched the ham bone
Break
To demote; to reduce the military rank of.
Snap
Put in play with a snap;
Snap a football
Break
(transitive) To end (a connection); to disconnect.
The referee ordered the boxers to break the clinch.
The referee broke the boxers' clinch.
I couldn't hear a thing he was saying, so I broke the connection and called him back.
Snap
Cause to make a snapping sound;
Snap your fingers
Break
To demulsify.
Snap
Lose control of one's emotions;
When she heard that she had not passed the exam, she lost it completely
When her baby died, she snapped
Break
To counter-attack.
Snap
Record on photographic film;
I photographed the scene of the accident
She snapped a picture of the President
Break
To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate.
Snap
To break suddenly and completely, typically with a sharp cracking sound.
The twig snapped under his weight.
Break
(intransitive) To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength.
Snap
To move quickly and sharply.
The dog snapped at the fly.
Break
(transitive) To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of.
To break flax
Snap
To suddenly lose one's self-control.
She snapped after hours of intense pressure.
Break
(transitive) To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss.
Snap
To fasten with a snapping sound.
She snapped her purse shut.
Break
(intransitive) To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change gait.
To break into a run or gallop
Break
To fall out; to terminate friendship.
Break
To terminate the execution of a program before normal completion.
Break
To suspend the execution of a program during debugging so that the state of the program can be investigated.
Break
(computing) To cause, or allow the occurrence of, a line break.
Zero-width non-breaking space
Break
To B-boy; to breakdance.
Break
An instance of breaking something into two or more pieces.
The femur has a clean break and so should heal easily.
Break
A physical space that opens up in something or between two things.
The sun came out in a break in the clouds.
He waited minutes for a break in the traffic to cross the highway.
Break
A rest or pause, usually from work.
Let’s take a five-minute break.
Break
A time for students to talk or play between lessons.
Break
A scheduled interval of days or weeks between periods of school instruction; a holiday.
Winter break, spring break
Break
A short holiday.
A weekend break on the Isle of Wight
Break
A temporary split with a romantic partner.
I think we need a break.
Break
An interval or intermission between two parts of a performance, for example a theatre show, broadcast, or sports game.
Break
A significant change in circumstance, attitude, perception, or focus of attention.
Big break
Lucky break, bad break
Break
(finance) A sudden fall in prices on the stock exchange.
Break
The beginning (of the morning).
At the break of day
Break
An act of escaping.
Make a break for it, for the door
It was a clean break.
Prison break
Break
The separation between lines, paragraphs or pages of a written text.
Break
(computing) A keystroke or other signal that causes a program to terminate or suspend execution.
Break
(programming) breakpoint
Break
A change, particularly the end of a spell of persistent good or bad weather.
Break
:
Break
(tennis) A game won by the receiving player(s).
Break
The first shot in a game of billiards.
Break
(snooker) The number of points scored by one player in one visit to the table.
Break
(soccer) The counter-attack.
Break
(golf) The curve imparted to the ball's motion on the green due to slope or grass texture.
Break
(surfing) A place where waves break (that is, where waves pitch or spill forward creating white water).
The final break in the Greenmount area is Kirra Point.
Break
(horse racing) The start of a horse race.
Break
(dated) A large four-wheeled carriage, having a straight body and calash top, with the driver's seat in front and the footman's behind.
Break
(equitation) A sharp bit or snaffle.
Break
(music) A short section of music, often between verses, in which some performers stop while others continue.
The fiddle break was amazing; it was a pity the singer came back in on the wrong note.
Break
(music) The point in the musical scale at which a woodwind instrument is designed to overblow, that is, to move from its lower to its upper register.
Crossing the break smoothly is one of the first lessons the young clarinettist needs to master.
Break
(music) The transition area between a singer's vocal registers; the passaggio.
Break
An area along a river that features steep banks, bluffs, or gorges (e.g., Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, US).
Break
An error.
Break
(music) A section of extended repetition of the percussion break to a song, created by a hip-hop DJ as rhythmic dance music.
Break
To strain apart; to sever by fracture; to divide with violence; as, to break a rope or chain; to break a seal; to break an axle; to break rocks or coal; to break a lock.
Break
To lay open as by breaking; to divide; as, to break a package of goods.
Break
To lay open, as a purpose; to disclose, divulge, or communicate.
Katharine, break thy mind to me.
Break
To infringe or violate, as an obligation, law, or promise.
Out, out, hyena! these are thy wonted arts . . . To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray.
Break
To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; to dissolve or terminate; as, to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey.
Go, release them, Ariel;My charms I'll break, their senses I'll restore.
Break
To destroy the completeness of; to remove a part from; as, to break a set.
Break
To destroy the arrangement of; to throw into disorder; to pierce; as, the cavalry were not able to break the British squares.
Break
To shatter to pieces; to reduce to fragments.
The victim broke in pieces the musical instruments with which he had solaced the hours of captivity.
Break
To exchange for other money or currency of smaller denomination; as, to break a five dollar bill.
Break
To destroy the strength, firmness, or consistency of; as, to break flax.
Break
To weaken or impair, as health, spirit, or mind.
An old man, broken with the storms of state.
Break
To diminish the force of; to lessen the shock of, as a fall or blow.
I'll rather leap down first, and break your fall.
Break
To impart, as news or information; to broach; - with to, and often with a modified word implying some reserve; as, to break the news gently to the widow; to break a purpose cautiously to a friend.
Break
To tame; to reduce to subjection; to make tractable; to discipline; as, to break a horse to the harness or saddle.
Why, then thou canst not break her to the lute?
Break
To destroy the financial credit of; to make bankrupt; to ruin.
With arts like these rich Matho, when he speaks,Attracts all fees, and little lawyers breaks.
Break
To destroy the official character and standing of; to cashier; to dismiss.
I see a great officer broken.
Break
To come apart or divide into two or more pieces, usually with suddenness and violence; to part; to burst asunder.
Break
To open spontaneously, or by pressure from within, as a bubble, a tumor, a seed vessel, a bag.
Else the bottle break, and the wine runneth out.
Break
To burst forth; to make its way; to come to view; to appear; to dawn.
The day begins to break, and night is fled.
And from the turf a fountain broke,and gurgled at our feet.
Break
To burst forth violently, as a storm.
The clouds are still above; and, while I speak,A second deluge o'er our head may break.
Break
To open up; to be scattered; to be dissipated; as, the clouds are breaking.
At length the darkness begins to break.
Break
To become weakened in constitution or faculties; to lose health or strength.
See how the dean begins to break;Poor gentleman! he droops apace.
Break
To be crushed, or overwhelmed with sorrow or grief; as, my heart is breaking.
Break
To fall in business; to become bankrupt.
He that puts all upon adventures doth oftentimes break, and come to poverty.
Break
To make an abrupt or sudden change; to change the gait; as, to break into a run or gallop.
Break
To fail in musical quality; as, a singer's voice breaks when it is strained beyond its compass and a tone or note is not completed, but degenerates into an unmusical sound instead. Also, to change in tone, as a boy's voice at puberty.
Break
To fall out; to terminate friendship.
To break upon the score of danger or expense is to be mean and narrow-spirited.
Fear me not, man; I will not break away.
He had broken down almost at the outset.
This radiant from the circling crowd he broke.
Break
An opening made by fracture or disruption.
Break
An interruption of continuity; change of direction; as, a break in a wall; a break in the deck of a ship.
Break
An interruption; a pause; as, a break in friendship; a break in the conversation.
Break
An interruption in continuity in writing or printing, as where there is an omission, an unfilled line, etc.
All modern trash isSet forth with numerous breaks and dashes.
Break
The first appearing, as of light in the morning; the dawn; as, the break of day; the break of dawn.
Break
A large four-wheeled carriage, having a straight body and calash top, with the driver's seat in front and the footman's behind.
Break
See Commutator.
Break
Some abrupt occurrence that interrupts;
The telephone is an annoying interruption
There was a break in the action when a player was hurt
Break
An unexpected piece of good luck;
He finally got his big break
Break
(geology) a crack in the earth's crust resulting from the displacement of one side with respect to the other;
They built it right over a geological fault
Break
A personal or social separation (as between opposing factions);
They hoped to avoid a break in relations
Break
A pause from doing something (as work);
We took a 10-minute break
He took time out to recuperate
Break
The act of breaking something;
The breakage was unavoidable
Break
A time interval during which there is a temporary cessation of something
Break
Breaking of hard tissue such as bone;
It was a nasty fracture
The break seems to have been caused by a fall
Break
The occurrence of breaking;
The break in the dam threatened the valley
Break
The opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool
Break
(tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving;
He was up two breaks in the second set
Break
An act of delaying or interrupting the continuity;
It was presented without commercial breaks
Break
A sudden dash;
He made a break for the open door
Break
Any frame in which a bowler fails to make a strike or spare;
The break in the eighth frame cost him the match
Break
An escape from jail;
The breakout was carefully planned
Break
Terminate;
She interrupted her pregnancy
Break a lucky streak
Break the cycle of poverty
Break
Become separated into pieces or fragments;
The figurine broke
The freshly baked loaf fell apart
Break
Destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments;
He broke the glass plate
She broke the match
Break
Render inoperable or ineffective;
You broke the alarm clock when you took it apart!
Break
Ruin completely;
He busted my radio!
Break
Act in disregard of laws and rules;
Offend all laws of humanity
Violate the basic laws or human civilization
Break a law
Break
Move away or escape suddenly;
The horses broke from the stable
Three inmates broke jail
Nobody can break out--this prison is high security
Break
Scatter or part;
The clouds broke after the heavy downpour
Break
Force out or release suddenly and often violently something pent up;
Break into tears
Erupt in anger
Break
Prevent completion;
Stop the project
Break off the negociations
Break
Enter someone's property in an unauthorized manner, usually with the intent to steal or commit a violent act;
Someone broke in while I was on vacation
They broke into my car and stole my radio!
Break
Make submissive, obedient, or useful;
The horse was tough to break
I broke in the new intern
Break
Fail to agree with; be in violation of; as of rules or patterns;
This sentence violates the rules of syntax
Break
Surpass in excellence;
She bettered her own record
Break a record
Break
Make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret;
The auction house would not disclose the price at which the van Gogh had sold
The actress won't reveal how old she is
Bring out the truth
He broke the news to her
Break
Come into being;
Light broke over the horizon
Voices broke in the air
Break
Stop operating or functioning;
The engine finally went
The car died on the road
The bus we travelled in broke down on the way to town
The coffee maker broke
The engine failed on the way to town
Her eyesight went after the accident
Break
Interrupt a continued activity;
She had broken with the traditional patterns
Break
Make a rupture in the ranks of the enemy or one's own by quitting or fleeing;
The ranks broke
Break
Curl over and fall apart in surf or foam, of waves;
The surf broke
Break
Lessen in force or effect;
Soften a shock
Break a fall
Break
Be broken in;
If the new teacher won't break, we'll add some stress
Break
Come to an end;
The heat wave finally broke yesterday
Break
Vary or interrupt a uniformity or continuity;
The flat plain was broken by tall mesas
Break
Cause to give up a habit;
She finally broke herself of smoking cigarettes
Break
Give up;
Break cigarette smoking
Break
Come forth or begin from a state of latency;
The first winter storm broke over New York
Break
Happen or take place;
Things have been breaking pretty well for us in the past few months
Break
Cause the failure or ruin of;
His peccadilloes finally broke his marriage
This play will either make or break the playwright
Break
Invalidate by judicial action;
The will was broken
Break
Discontinue an association or relation; go different ways;
The business partners broke over a tax question
The couple separated after 25 years of marriage
My friend and I split up
Break
Assign to a lower position; reduce in rank;
She was demoted because she always speaks up
He was broken down to Sargeant
Break
Reduce to bankruptcy;
My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!
The slump in the financial markets smashed him
Break
Change directions suddenly
Break
Emerge from the surface of a body of water;
The whales broke
Break
Break down, literally or metaphorically;
The wall collapsed
The business collapsed
The dam broke
The roof collapsed
The wall gave in
The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice
Break
Do a break dance;
Kids were break-dancing at the street corner
Break
Exchange for smaller units of money;
I had to break a $100 bill just to buy the candy
Break
Destroy the completeness of a set of related items;
The book dealer would not break the set
Break
Make the opening shot that scatters the balls
Break
Separate from a clinch, in boxing;
The referee broke the boxers
Break
Go to pieces;
The lawn mower finally broke
The gears wore out
The old chair finally fell apart completely
Break
Break a piece from a whole;
Break a branch from a tree
Break
Become punctured or penetrated;
The skin broke
Break
Pierce or penetrate;
The blade broke her skin
Break
Be released or become known; of news;
News of her death broke in the morning
Break
Cease an action temporarily;
We pause for station identification
Let's break for lunch
Break
Interrupt the flow of current in;
Break a circuit
Break
Undergo breaking;
The simple vowels broke in many Germanic languages
Break
Find a flaw in;
Break an alibi
Break down a proof
Break
Find the solution or key to;
Break the code
Break
Change suddenly from one tone quality or register to another;
Her voice broke to a whisper when she started to talk about her children
Break
Happen;
Report the news as it develops
These political movements recrudesce from time to time
Break
Become fractured; break or crack on the surface only;
The glass cracked when it was heated
Break
Of the male voice in puberty;
His voice is breaking--he should no longer sing in the choir
Break
Fall sharply;
Stock prices broke
Break
Fracture a bone of;
I broke my foot while playing hockey
Break
Diminish or discontinue abruptly;
The patient's fever broke last night
Break
Weaken or destroy in spirit or body;
His resistance was broken
A man broken by the terrible experience of near-death
FAQs
Does "break" always involve physical objects?
No, it can refer to non-physical things like silence or promises.
Can "snap" indicate a quick decision?
Yes, like in "made a snap decision."
Does "snap" always imply breaking?
Not always, it can also refer to a quick movement or action.
Can "break" refer to ending a period of time?
Yes, like in "break for lunch" or "winter break."
Can "break" refer to disclosing information?
Yes, like in "break the news."
Is "snap" related to sudden emotional changes?
Yes, like in "snap under pressure."
Does "snap" have a musical connotation?
Yes, like when someone snaps their fingers to a rhythm.
Is "snap" used in photography?
Yes, it's informal for taking a quick photograph.
Can "break" mean starting to be successful?
Yes, like in "break into the music industry."
Does "snap" imply a reaction?
Often, especially in emotional or reflexive contexts.
Does "break" have a financial context?
Yes, like in "break the bank."
Is "snap" associated with sound?
Often, as it implies a quick action often producing a sound.
Can "break" be used in a legal context?
Yes, like in "break the law."
Can "snap" mean to fasten quickly?
Yes, like "snap a lid closed."
Is "break" used in sports?
Yes, like in "break a record" or "breakaway."
Can "break" refer to health?
Yes, like in "break a fever."
Does "break" imply freedom or escape?
Often, like in "break free" or "prison break."
Can "break" mean to surpass or excel?
Yes, like in "break a record."
Can "snap" mean a quick purchase?
Informally, like in "snap up a bargain."
Is "snap" used in digital communication?
Yes, like in "send a snap" on Snapchat.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
