split
split — verb
1. to break something apart by cutting or tearing, producing separate pieces; or to
to break something apart by cutting or tearing, producing separate pieces; or to distribute something among people so that each gets a share.
Bilal split the log into pieces with an axe.
split + object + into + parts
The four friends split the cost of the taxi ride between them.
split + object + between + people (share cost)
Hoa split her lip open when she fell off her bicycle.
split + object + adjective complement
The orange splits easily if you press on the seam.
intransitive: splits [adv]
Camille and her brother split the pizza evenly between them.
- split the cost
- split the bill
- split the profits
- split the difference
- split (something) in half
Grammar Patterns
split + object + into + parts
split + object + between/among + people
split + object + in half/two
split + (no object)
split + object + adjective (split something open)
Usage Note
Frequently used with 'up', 'into', 'between', 'among' to show how the division happens. The transitive form takes a direct object; the intransitive form describes the thing dividing itself.
Common Mistakes
2. if a hard material splits, long narrow cracks or openings form in its surface, o
if a hard material splits, long narrow cracks or openings form in its surface, often because of heat, dryness, or pressure.
The old wooden table split down the middle after years in the sun.
material + split + location (time/condition)
Élise noticed that the paint on the ceiling had begun to split in several places.
The dry ground split open under the summer heat.
split + open (resultative)
The bark of the old oak tree began to split in the freezing winter weather.
- split open
- split down the middle
- wood splits
- ground splits
Grammar Patterns
split + (when/if/under) + condition
split + adverb
Usage Note
This sense is intransitive only — the material cracks on its own, not because someone actively splits it. Distinguish from verb/1 (DIVIDE) where a person or force actively separates something.
3. when members of a group disagree strongly and separate into smaller groups with
when members of a group disagree strongly and separate into smaller groups with opposing views.
The committee split into two factions over the new budget plan.
split + into + groups + over + issue
The issue of climate policy split the party down the middle.
issue + split + group (transitive, causing separation)
Tamar warned that the board would split if they did not find a way to agree.
After the election, the union split into three separate organisations.
split + into [number] + groups (result)
- split into factions
- split over
- split down the middle
- party split
- group split
- unite
bringing groups together instead of apart
Grammar Patterns
split + (into) + groups
split + over + issue
split + (no object)
Usage Note
Subject is typically an organisation, political party, or group with internal disagreement. The transitive form (e.g. 'The issue split the group') means the issue caused the separation.
4. to accept a price or figure that lies midway between what each side originally p
to accept a price or figure that lies midway between what each side originally proposed.
Lucía wanted $120 for the lamp, and I offered $80, so we split the difference at $100.
split the difference at [amount]
The buyer and seller could not agree on a price until they decided to split the difference.
Eve suggested they split the difference between her holiday request and the manager's counteroffer.
split the difference between X and Y
The tenants could not agree on a rent increase until the landlord offered to split the difference.
- split the difference
- agree to split the difference
- compromise
broader meaning — can involve any kind of mutual concession, not just a midpoint number
- meet halfway
more informal phrasal expression for reaching a middle ground
Grammar Patterns
split + the difference + (between X and Y)
Usage Note
Almost always used with the fixed phrase 'split the difference'. The difference being split is the gap between two numbers. Common in bargaining, negotiating, and everyday financial discussions.
Common Mistakes
5. to reduce what you are asking for or change your position so that two sides can
to reduce what you are asking for or change your position so that two sides can reach an agreement.
Neither side wanted to split, so the negotiation went on for hours.
split as 'compromise' (negotiation context)
Allison refused to split, insisting on the full amount she had asked for.
After hours of debate, both sides finally agreed to split.
split = compromise (informal, intransitive)
Bilal knew he would have to split if he wanted the deal to go through.
- refuse to split
- willing to split
- compromise
more formal; 'split' in this sense is informal
- insist
refusing to move from one's original position
Grammar Patterns
split + (no object) — in negotiation context
Usage Note
This sense overlaps with sense 4 (SPLIT DIFFERENCE) but is broader — it describes any compromise, not just splitting a numerical gap. Frequently used in informal negotiation contexts. Distinguish from sense 3 (GROUP SPLIT), where the result is separation rather than agreement.
6. to tell someone in authority a secret or damaging piece of information about ano
to tell someone in authority a secret or damaging piece of information about another person, especially one you were supposed to protect.
Gita split on her classmates when the teacher asked who had thrown the paper aeroplane.
split + on + someone
Ravindra warned his friends not to split if the police questioned them.
One of the gang members split and gave the others' names to the detectives.
split (alone) — inform on associates
The teenagers split on their leader when the principal offered to reduce their punishment.
- split on someone
- split to the police
- split on a friend
Grammar Patterns
split + on + someone
split + (no object)
Usage Note
Strongly informal and negative in tone. Typically used in contexts of criminal activity, school mischief, or group secrets. The phrase 'split on someone' always has a negative connotation of betrayal.
7. to depart from somewhere, often in a hurry or without saying goodbye.
to depart from somewhere, often in a hurry or without saying goodbye.
Haruto decided to split when he saw his ex-girlfriend walk into the party.
split = leave quickly (informal)
The band split after the show without speaking to any of the fans.
Nala heard a siren and told everyone it was time to split.
split — urgent departure
The guests split before the police even arrived at the house.
- split (from a place)
- time to split
- decide to split
- leave
neutral and formal; 'split' is much more casual
- get out of
informal phrasal verb; similar register
- take off
informal; implies sudden departure
Grammar Patterns
split + (no object)
split + location adverb
Usage Note
Very informal — common in casual conversation but inappropriate in formal writing. Often implies a hasty or secretive departure. Not to be confused with sense 8 (SEPARATE), which is about ending a relationship.
8. to end a romantic relationship or stop being together as a couple.
to end a romantic relationship or stop being together as a couple.
Maja and Christopher split up after dating for three years.
split + up (end a romantic relationship)
Hannah's parents split when she was eight years old.
Allison decided to split with her partner after months of arguing.
split + with + partner
The couple tried therapy, but they still ended up splitting.
- split up with
- decide to split
- split from
- split up
- get together
starting a relationship
- reconcile
repairing a broken relationship
Grammar Patterns
split + up + (with someone)
split + (no object)
split + up
Usage Note
Commonly appears as the phrasal verb 'split up' (inseparable). Can be used with 'with' to specify the person ('split up with someone'). More common in British English than American English for relationship endings.
Common Mistakes
split away
phrasal verbTo leave a group or organization and become separate from it.
A small group split away from the main political party to form a new one.
Why did the members split away from the club last year?
split off
phrasal verbTo separate from a larger group or object, often by breaking or dividing.
A large piece of ice split off from the glacier and fell into the sea.
The new company split off from its parent corporation last month.
split on
phrasal verbTo tell someone in authority about something bad that another person has done; to betray someone's trust.
Tom split on his friend to the teacher for cheating on the test.
Don't split on me, or I'll never trust you again.
split up
phrasal verbTo end a romantic relationship or to separate a group into smaller parts.
After five years together, Sara and Brian decided to split up.
The teacher split up the class into groups of four for the project.
split the difference
idiomTo reach an agreement by each side giving up part of what they want, so the final amount is halfway between the two original offers.
Mia wanted $50 for the lamp, but I only had $30, so we split the difference at $40.
Should we split the difference and meet at the park instead of the library?
To separate something into two equal parts, or for a group to become divided into two opposing sides.
The committee split down the middle on whether to fund the new project.
Divide the pizza down the middle so each child gets an equal share.
split hairs
idiomTo argue about very small and unimportant differences in an argument.
Instead of helping, he just split hairs over the exact wording of the rule.
Let's not split hairs; both plans are essentially the same.
split an infinitive
idiomTo put an adverb between 'to' and the base form of a verb, which some people consider incorrect in formal English.
In the sentence 'to boldly go,' the writer splits an infinitive.
Did the teacher say it's wrong to split an infinitive in formal writing?
To laugh very hard at someone or something.
The comedian's jokes made the audience split their sides with laughter.
We almost split our sides laughing at Diego's funny story.
split the ticket
idiomTo vote for candidates from different political parties in the same election.
Many voters decided to split the ticket and choose candidates from both parties.
Did you split the ticket or vote straight party line?
split — noun
1. a long thin opening or break in the surface of something, caused by it tearing o
a long thin opening or break in the surface of something, caused by it tearing or separating.
There was a visible split in the wall where the house had settled unevenly.
split in [surface/material]
Sade noticed a thin split running along the entire length of the wooden door.
Light was coming through a small split in the fabric of the old tent.
split in [fabric/material]
Élise repaired the split in her hiking trousers with strong tape.
- a split in
- a split running along
- visible split
- thin split
Usage Note
Often used for damage in wood, fabric, plastic, or other materials where a clean break forms a thin opening. 'Crack' is more common for glass or stone, while 'split' typically describes wood or fabric.
2. when the members of an organisation or community disagree so strongly that they
when the members of an organisation or community disagree so strongly that they form smaller opposing groups.
The deep split within the party caused two leaders to emerge before the election.
split within [group]
A split in the family over the inheritance kept them from speaking for years.
split in [group] over [issue]
The board tried hard to avoid a split, but the disagreement was too deep.
Hoa warned that the proposed changes would cause a split among the members.
cause a split among [group]
- a split in
- a split within
- a split over
- deep split
- cause a split
- avoid a split
- unity
when a group stays together
Usage Note
Used with 'in', 'within', 'among', or 'between' to show where the division happens. 'Split over [issue]' names the topic causing the disagreement. Often collocates with 'deep', 'serious', or 'growing'.
3. a position in gymnastics, dance, or yoga where one leg is stretched forward and
a position in gymnastics, dance, or yoga where one leg is stretched forward and the other backward, both forming a straight line with the floor.
The gymnast practised her splits every morning to improve her flexibility.
do/practise the splits
Haruto could do the splits after just three months of yoga classes.
The dance instructor showed the class how to lower into a split safely.
lower into a split
Camille held her split for ten seconds during the gymnastics routine.
- do the splits
- practise the splits
- hold a split
- lower into a split
Usage Note
Almost always used in the plural form 'the splits' or 'splits'. Common set expressions: 'do the splits', 'hold a split'. Not used in the singular countably (❌ 'a split position') except in technical descriptions.
Common Mistakes
4. a runner's or swimmer's time measured at a particular stage of a contest, or the
a runner's or swimmer's time measured at a particular stage of a contest, or the interval needed to cover a portion of the full distance.
The runner's split at the halfway mark was forty-five seconds ahead of schedule.
split at [point] = time at that point
Christopher checked his split times on his watch after each kilometre of the marathon.
split times = times for segments
The coach recorded every split during the 400-metre race to find where the athlete slowed down.
The swimmer's final split was faster than the first, showing good pacing.
- split time
- split at
- record a split
- check splits
- first split
- halfway split
Usage Note
Common in competitive running, swimming, and cycling. A 'split time' helps athletes see how their speed changes over different parts of a race. Often appears in the compound noun 'split time'.
split — adjective
1. describing something that has been divided into parts, or a group that is sharpl
describing something that has been divided into parts, or a group that is sharply divided by disagreement.
The audience was split on whether the film deserved to win the top prize.
be split on/over [issue]
Bilal found a split board in the pile and set it aside for firewood.
The jury remained split even after three days of careful discussion.
remain split — still divided
A split society rarely makes progress on important national issues.
- be split on
- be split over
- remain split
- split board
- split society
- united
joined together as a whole
Usage Note
Used predicatively with 'be', 'remain', 'become' ('the group is split'). When modifying a noun directly ('a split society'), it describes a group divided by conflict. For physical objects, describes damage (a split piece of wood).
Common Mistakes
Word family
- splittingadjectiveC1
- splinternounC1
- splinterverbC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four words involve things coming apart or being distributed, but they differ in how. 'Split' suggests a clean, often forceful break along a line — you split a log with an axe or split a group into factions. 'Divide' is more neutral and mathematical; you divide a cake into six equal slices or divide a class into teams. 'Separate' focuses on creating distance between things that were once together — you separate fighting children or separate laundry by colour — and does not imply breaking. 'Share' is only about distribution, not physical division: you share food, ideas, or responsibilities. Examples: 'We split the pizza equally' (cut into pieces); 'We divided the tasks by skill' (assigned); 'We shared the dessert' (each took some).
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'split' comes from Middle Dutch 'splitten', meaning to cleave or break apart, with roots in Proto-Germanic. It entered English during the 16th century, initially referring to cutting or cleaving wood along the grain. By the 17th century it had broadened to include any kind of division or separation, including group disagreements and relationship breakups. The informal senses (to inform on someone, to leave quickly) developed in the 19th and 20th centuries.