What does snack mean?
A snack is a small amount of food eaten between the usual meals of the day. It may be something quick and simple, such as a piece of fruit, a biscuit, or a handful of nuts, although the word can also refer to a light meal in its own right. As a verb, “to snack” means to eat a little food between meals, frequently in the construction “snack on.” The term is informal and especially common in spoken English, but it is also standard in descriptions of meals, products, shops, and eating habits. “Snack” can carry a mild implication of convenience or informality, as distinct from eating a prepared or substantial meal. Its older associations with biting or taking a small morsel help explain its long-standing use for food portions eaten between ordinary mealtimes.
A small quantity of food eaten between regular meals or as a light meal.
"I packed a sandwich and some fruit to have as a snack."
The count noun takes the plural “snacks.” It is informal but standard in everyday usage.
To eat a small amount of food between meals or as a light meal.
"He snacked on nuts while watching the match."
The construction “snack on” is especially common; the present participle is “snacking.”
Use the plural when referring to multiple separate snacks or items that can be eaten between meals.
"The shop sells crackers, dried fruit, and other snacks."
Before “snack” became a light meal, the word could refer more generally to a bite-sized portion or morsel of food.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does snack come from?
The word is usually traced to Middle English and to Old Norse, where related forms carried the senses of biting or snapping. It was originally associated with taking a bite or a small portion before developing its modern meaning of light food eaten between meals. Its Germanic relatives include forms behind English “snap” and “snatch,” Dutch “snak,” and German “Schnack.”
Related word forms
How snack is actually used
The noun is informal but widely used in everyday speech. The verb is especially common with “on,” as in “snack on nuts,” while the bare form can mean to have or eat a snack.