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snag

snag

3 4.1
A small tear or pull in fabric caused by catching
  • noun
  • /snæɡ/
translation icon : enganche
  • There was a snag down the leg of her red stretch pants, and a few spongy hairs stood up on her forehead.
  • a snag in the fabric
  • avoid snags
  • prevent snags

Examples

  • There was a noticeable snag in the fabric of her dress after it caught on a nail.

  • He discovered a small snag on his jacket when he reached for the doorknob.

  • However, just as I got to the door, I felt a snag on my earphones.

    Blog text (23)
  • Stains, snags, and missing buttons.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Keith frowned and fiddled with a snag on the sleeve of his sweater.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • He jerked harder and heard the sound of ripping fabric as her short tunic tore free from a snag.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • The sweater had a few snags from being pulled on the rough edges of furniture.

Synonyms

tear
vssnag
207 1.0

A long cut in cloth or paper made by pulling it

tends to be less forceful and may include holes or pulls from catching
rip
vssnag
23 1.9

A long tear in fabric made by pulling it apart quickly

is often less sudden and can be a small pull left by catching
split
vssnag
11 1.1

A break in something, for example a tear in fabric or wood

usually involves separation rather than a caught pull that makes a hole
rent
vssnag
9 8.4

An opening in cloth or other material made by pulling it apart

is usually smaller and caused by catching rather than full separation
snaggle
vssnag
9.1

A small loose loop of thread that sticks out of cloth

is larger and more likely to create a hole or full pull

How Damaged

gash
30 3.9
tear
207 1.0
snag
3 4.1

Surface Forms

snag singular
snags plural

Etymology

Snag for a tear in fabric comes from the idea of a sharp point that 'catches' threads, from the old Scandinavian root snag meaning 'to catch'. That's why a small hole or pull in clothes is called a 'snag'.