snag

[ snag ]

noun

1. a tree or part of a tree held fast in the bottom of a river, lake, etc., and forming an impediment or danger to navigation.
2. a short, projecting stump, as of a branch broken or cut off.
3. any sharp or rough projection.
4. a jagged hole, tear, pull, or run in a fabric, as caused by catching on a sharp projection.
5. any obstacle or impediment.
6. a stump of a tooth or a projecting tooth; snaggletooth.

verb (used with object)

snagged, snagging.

1. to run or catch up on a snag.
2. to damage by so doing.
3. to obstruct or impede, as a snag does:

   He snagged all my efforts.

4. to grab; seize:

   to snag the last piece of pie.

verb (used without object)

snagged, snagging.

1. to become entangled with some obstacle or hindrance.
2. to become tangled:

   This line snags every time I cast.

3. (of a boat) to strike a snag.
4. to form a snag.

snag

/ snæɡ /

noun

1. a difficulty or disadvantage

   the snag is that I have nothing suitable to wear

2. a sharp protuberance, such as a tree stump
3. a small loop or hole in a fabric caused by a sharp object
4. engineering a projection that brings to a stop a sliding or rotating component
5. a tree stump in a riverbed that is dangerous to navigation
6. a standing dead tree, esp one used as a perch by an eagle
7. slang.
   plural sausages

verb

1. tr to hinder or impede
2. tr to tear or catch (fabric)
3. intr to develop a snag
4. intr (of a boat) to strike or be damaged by a snag
5. tr to clear (a stretch of water) of snags
6. tr to seize (an opportunity, benefit, etc)

Derived Forms

• ˈsnagˌlike, adjective

Other Word Forms

• snaglike adjective
• un·snagged adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of snag¹

First recorded in 1570–80, snag is from the Old Norse word snagi point, projection

Word History and Origins

Origin of snag¹

C16: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse snaghyrndr sharp-pointed, Norwegian snage spike, Icelandic snagi peg

Idioms and Phrases

see hit a snag .

Example Sentences

Whatever happened with Gibbs’ visa, as Coachella season ramps up, international artists are triple-checking any possible snags before performing in the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Netflix made its entry into the NFL by snagging the rights for two Christmas games through the upcoming season, and its executives have shown an appetite for more.

From Los Angeles Times

No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t snag a few minutes with Sanders.

From Los Angeles Times

Car buyers looking to snag new wheels will likely be confronted with sticker shock after President Trump’s 25% tax on imported vehicles and auto parts kicks in.

From Los Angeles Times

Both actors said they opted for current stage names after learning that other actors in the Screen Actors Guild had already snagged their preferred names.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• rip
• run into