Snapshot: meaning, definitions and examples

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snapshot

[ˈsnæpˌʃɒt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

digital photography

A snapshot is a quick photograph taken without much thought or preparation. It captures a moment in time, often candid and spontaneous.

Synonyms

image, photo, picture.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
snapshot	A 'snapshot' is often used for informal or spontaneous photos taken quickly, without much preparation. It's frequently used when talking about capturing a moment in time. She took a snapshot of her friends at the party. I like to take snapshots of interesting things I see while traveling.
photo	'Photo' is short for 'photograph' and refers to a picture taken with a camera. It is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts. I framed the photo of our family vacation. Could you email me the photo from the event?
picture	A 'picture' is a broad term that can refer to photographs, drawings, and any other visual representation. It is often used in everyday language. Can you take a picture of us? I hung a beautiful picture on the wall.
image	The term 'image' is general and can refer to any visual representation, including photos, drawings, paintings, or digital creations. It is often used in a professional or technical context. The website needs high-quality images to attract visitors. This is a satellite image of the hurricane.

Examples of usage

Let me take a quick snapshot of you in front of the Eiffel Tower.
She always carries her camera with her, ready to capture snapshots of everyday life.
The snapshot she took of the sunset was absolutely stunning.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

technology

In computing, a snapshot is a complete copy of a system's state at a specific point in time. It is often used for backup or system recovery purposes.

Synonyms

backup, copy, recovery.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
snapshot	Used when referring to a quick capture or moment in time, often in photography or computer states. He took a snapshot of the beautiful sunset. The IT department took a snapshot of the database to ensure they could restore it if needed.
copy	Used in a general sense to refer to making a duplicate of any item or document, not necessarily related to digital content. She made a copy of the report for her own records. He carefully copied the notes from the textbook.
backup	Used in the context of making a duplicate of data or information to prevent loss, often related to digital files or systems. Always create a backup of your important files to avoid data loss. The server failed, but thankfully we had a recent backup.
recovery	Used when referring to the act of restoring something to a previous or better condition, often after a failure or loss, particularly in technology or health. The team worked on data recovery after the system crash. Her quick recovery from the illness surprised everyone.

Examples of usage

The IT department took a snapshot of the server before making any changes.
You should create a snapshot of your virtual machine before installing new software.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

quick action

To snapshot means to quickly take a photograph without much preparation or thought.

Synonyms

capture, photograph, take a photo.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
snapshot	Use this word when referring to an informal or quick picture, often taken without much thought or planning. She took a quick snapshot of the sunset before it disappeared. Can you send me a snapshot of your new car?
take a photo	This phrase is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe the act of using a camera to make an image. Can you take a photo of us in front of the Eiffel Tower? She took a photo of her meal to post on social media.
capture	This word is often used when talking about the act of catching a moment, emotion, or scene in a photograph or video. He managed to capture the happiness on her face when she saw the surprise. The photographer captured the essence of the festival beautifully.
photograph	A formal term for a picture, usually used in professional or more serious contexts. The photograph of the landscape won first place in the contest. She likes to look through old photographs of her family.

Examples of usage

She snapshot the beautiful scenery as they drove by.
He snapshot a picture of his friends at the party.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word combines 'snap', meaning to make a quick sound, and 'shot', referring to a photograph.
It emerged in the early 19th century, coinciding with the invention of photography.
Originally, it referred to a quick shot in hunting before being applied to photography.

Technology

Digital snapshots can be taken instantly, and technology allows for editing and sharing in real-time.
Smartphone cameras have made taking snapshots incredibly easy, popularizing the term worldwide.
Many social media platforms are designed around sharing snapshots with friends and family.

Pop Culture

Snapshots often feature in movies and music videos as a way to convey personal stories and memories.
The term is commonly used in photography blogs and tutorials, showcasing both professional and casual photography.
Famous photographers have created legendary snapshot series, capturing everyday life and candid moments.

Psychology

Snapshots can evoke strong emotions, as they often capture significant life events and experiences.
Research suggests viewing old snapshots can trigger nostalgia, improving mood and well-being.
People often use snapshots as a way to document their life journey and remember important milestones.

Literature

Writers sometimes use the concept of snapshots to illustrate moments in character development or plot progress.
Metaphorical snapshots can be found in poetry, where a moment in time is captured in vivid imagery.
Certain novels utilize snapshots in settings and imagery to create an emotional connection with readers.

Translations

Translations of the word "snapshot" in other languages:

🇵🇹 instantâneo

🇮🇳 तस्वीर

🇩🇪 Schnappschuss

🇮🇩 cuplikan

🇺🇦 миттєвий знімок

🇵🇱 migawka

🇯🇵 スナップショット

🇫🇷 instantané

🇪🇸 instantánea

🇹🇷 anlık görüntü

🇰🇷 스냅샷

🇸🇦 لقطة

🇨🇿 snímek

🇸🇰 momentka

🇨🇳 快照

🇸🇮 posnetek

🇮🇸 skyndimynd

🇰🇿 сәттік сурет

🇬🇪 მოკლემეტრაჟიანი ფოტო

🇦🇿 ani görüntü

🇲🇽 instantánea

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,313, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
18310 healer
18311 undeniably
18312 banged
18313 snapshot
18314 brotherly
18315 foolishly
18316 disqualify
...