snack

snack — noun

1. A small serving of food that you eat between main meals, for example in the midd

1.nounA1
Definition

A small serving of food that you eat between main meals, for example in the middle of the morning or afternoon.

Example

Justin grabbed a quick snack of fruit and yoghurt between lunch and dinner.

The children always want a snack when they come home from school.

collocation: want a snack / have a snack

Common collocations
  • have a snack
  • grab a snack
  • eat a snack
  • healthy snack
  • quick snack
  • light snack
Synonyms
  • bite

    more informal and suggests a very small, quick amount

  • nibble

    even smaller than a snack; suggests eating tiny amounts slowly

  • refreshment

    slightly more formal, can include drinks as well as food

Antonyms
  • meal

    a full, planned eating event with larger portions

Usage Note

Commonly paired with the verbs 'have', 'grab', 'eat', or 'make' (have a snack, grab a snack). Can describe either the food itself or the short eating event.

Common Mistakes

I had a snack of rice and vegetables as dinner.
I had a snack of nuts and fruit as a light lunch.
A snack is a small portion, not a full plate of food.

2. Someone who people find very physically attractive, used in modern informal lang

2.nounB2
Definition

Someone who people find very physically attractive, used in modern informal language.

Example

Hiro said his new neighbour was a total snack, and everyone agreed.

informal slang: a total snack

The actor on the movie poster was such a snack that Minh bought a ticket.

informal slang: such a snack

Common collocations
  • total snack
  • such a snack
  • absolute snack
Synonyms
  • looker

    older informal term for an attractive person

  • stunner

    suggests someone surprisingly or extremely attractive

Usage Note

Very informal slang, most common in spoken English among younger speakers. Can be considered objectifying, so use with caution in polite conversation.

snack — verb

Word family

  • snacker
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All these words describe a small amount of food, but they differ in size, formality, and context. Snack is the most general term — a small portion eaten between meals, such as fruit, crisps, or a granola bar. Bite is more informal and suggests a very quick, small amount, often grabbed in a hurry ('I'll grab a bite before the train'). Nibble is even smaller and suggests eating slowly in tiny pieces, often while doing something else ('She nibbled on a biscuit while reading'). Refreshment is slightly formal and includes drinks as well as food; it is common at events or conferences ('Light refreshments will be served'). Treat adds the idea of something enjoyable or special rather than just hunger relief ('a treat after finishing homework'). For everyday use between meals, snack is the safest and most natural choice.

snack ↗bite ↗nibblerefreshment ↗treat ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • have a snack
  • grab a snack
  • snack on something

Prepositions

Etymology

Middle DutchEnglish

The word 'snack' comes from Middle Dutch 'snacken', which meant 'to bite' or 'to snap at food'. It entered English around the 1300s, first describing the action of a dog biting or snapping, and later shifting to mean a quick bite of food eaten between meals.