snack

[ snak ]

noun

1. a small portion of food or drink or a light meal, especially one eaten between regular meals.
2. a share or portion.
3. Slang. a sexy and physically attractive person; hottie.
4. Australian Slang. something easily done.

verb (used without object)

1. to have a snack or light meal, especially between regular meals:

   They snacked on tea and cake.

snack

/ snæk /

noun

1. a light quick meal eaten between or in place of main meals
2. a sip or bite
3. rare.
   a share
4. informal.
   a very easy task

verb

1. intr to eat a snack

Word History and Origins

Origin of snack¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb snacchen, snac(c)he, snak “(of a dog) to snap at, bite, seize”; Middle English noun snacche, snak(e); further origin uncertain; compare Middle Dutch snacken “(of a dog) to snap”: Norwegian dialect snaka “(of an animal) to snatch”

Word History and Origins

Origin of snack¹

C15: probably from Middle Dutch snacken, variant of snappen to snap

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. go snack / snacks, Archaic. to share profits or returns.

Example Sentences

Using food photos also allowed the Stevens team to accurately track the exact timing of meals and snacks, and to explore the way that patterns of eating behavior correlated with total energy and nutrient intake.

From Science Daily

"In each case, behaviors that weren't directly targeted by the policy -- like purchasing more sugary snacks when soda is taxed -- can offset or even undermine the policy's primary goals."

From Science Daily

In Germany, school lunch is typically “universal,” meaning everyone is eligible to receive it and the vast majority of students do not regularly bring lunches from home, though they might bring their own snacks.

From Salon

It may be a construction worker with dirty boots and paint-stained hands ordering a few for lunch or an eager child who just got out of school looking for a warm snack.

From Salon

"The lagging is so bad the fights are unwatchable to long time subscribers like me and other people I know at home with friends, family, snacks, and drinks but no fights."

From BBC

Related Words

• lunch
• morsel
• refreshment
• tea