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, to share profits or returns.

Example Sentences

It’s a strange and silent place, in which all the beds are neatly made, the floors around them no longer mulched with clothing, charge cords and snack wrappers.

From Los Angeles Times

The link held even after adjusting for diet quality, meal and snack frequency, and other lifestyle factors, researchers found.

From BBC

He travelled the country for decades with fairground rides, games and snack vans, the remnants of which can be seen around the yard, including a carousel horse displayed in a lounge window.

From BBC

Thrifting and a snack The thrift stores in Pasadena, those places are so good.

From Los Angeles Times

As one Brooklyn voter quipped on X: “If this is the level of corruption, I guess we’re snacking our way through City Hall.”

From Salon

Related Words

• lunch 
• morsel 
• refreshment 
• tea