VocabDictionary

snapshot

/ˈsnæp.ʃɒt/beginner Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

An informal photograph taken quickly, typically with a small handheld camera.

Example Sentences:
  • She took a quick snapshot of the kids playing in the garden.
  • The album was filled with holiday snapshots and blurry memories.
2.noun

A brief or partial view; a summary of a situation at a specific point in time.

Example Sentences:
  • The report provides a snapshot of the current economic climate.
  • This data offers a fascinating snapshot of consumer behavior in the 1990s.
3.noun

In computing, a recorded state of a system or database at a particular moment, used for backup or recovery.

Example Sentences:
  • Before updating the software, the administrator created a system snapshot.
  • The cloud service allows you to revert to a previous snapshot if the data is corrupted.
Share & Learn With Friends

Share “snapshot” with study groups, classmates, or on your social channels.

English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “snapshot”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

The term originated in the early 19th century as a hunting expression, referring to a quick shot fired without taking deliberate aim. By the 1850s, it was adopted by photographers to describe a picture taken rapidly with a hand-held camera. In the digital age, it evolved to describe a captured state of data or a brief overview of a situation.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Imagine the 'snap' of a finger—it's a quick 'shot' of a moment in time.

Frequently Asked Questions About “snapshot

1. What is the meaning of “snapshot” in English?

In English, snapshot (noun) is defined as: “An informal photograph taken quickly, typically with a small handheld camera.”.

2. How do you use “snapshot” in a sentence?

She took a quick snapshot of the kids playing in the garden.

3. What are English synonyms of “snapshot”?

Common synonyms include:photograph,glimpse,overview,summary,image

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “snapshot”?

The term originated in the early 19th century as a hunting expression, referring to a quick shot fired without taking deliberate aim. By the 1850s, it was adopted by photographers to describe a picture taken rapidly with a hand-held camera. In the digital age, it evolved to describe a captured state of data or a brief overview of a situation.