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to split

to split

513 1.3
To break something into two or more parts
  • verb
  • /splɪt/
translation icon : dividir
  • We all split the bill; $75 dollars each.
  • split into two
  • split evenly
  • split in half

If it's slightly off center, it splits into two parts, right?

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Examples

  • So now the space is split into two parts.

  • Under the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the two sides were supposed to split the proceeds evenly.

    Academic text (2011)
  • and if successful, would have split the French German army in two.

  • One less person to split the money with.

  • How were you gonna split the take?

  • We meet here, we split everything.

  • We're going to split the hair into two sections.

  • Oh, yes, you will split the inheritance between yourself and your brother, Eric.

  • Postwar relations between the Soviet Union and the United States split Europe into two conflicting systems.

    Academic text (1991)
  • We need to split the cake into equal slices for everyone to enjoy.

Synonyms

to divide
vsto split
680 1.1

To split something into parts or groups

focuses more on physically breaking or cutting into pieces
to separate
vsto split
297 1.9

To break into parts or pieces

focuses more on physical breaking or cutting rather than only moving items apart
to part
vsto split
241 2.9

To separate and move in different directions after being together

is specifically about breaking or cutting into parts rather than moving away
to break down
vsto split
213 2.8

To separate something into smaller parts to explain or study it

is a simple dividing action not specifically for analysis or dismantling
to cut into
vsto split
89 2.3

To make something into smaller pieces using a knife or tool

is the broader act of making parts by any method not only cutting
to break up
vsto split
66 2.7

Separate something into smaller pieces

is the neutral action that can include careful cutting or dividing
to take apart
vsto split
50 3.0

To separate something into parts so it can be moved or fixed

is more general and may not involve deliberate disassembly
to branch
vsto split
49 2.7

To split into two or more parts

is a general action that need not create offshoot like divisions
to split up
vsto split
47 2.6

To divide something into smaller parts

is the neutral general term for breaking or cutting into parts
to fragment
vsto split
39 3.7

To break into small pieces or make something break apart

is broader and can mean dividing into any size parts not only tiny ones
to cut up
vsto split
32 1.1

Make something into smaller pieces using scissors or a knife

is more general and includes breaking or separating without cutting
to break apart
vsto split
26 3.0

To separate into pieces, for example a machine or a group

is a general division action not necessarily caused by force
to pull apart
vsto split
21 3.2

To break something into pieces by hand

is more general and includes methods beyond pulling to divide
to carve up
vsto split
14 5.8

To divide something into parts to share between people

is more general and does not imply allocation or sharing
to segment
vsto split
12 3.5

To divide something into separate parts

is the general act and may not stress distinct functional parts
to partition
vsto split
10 4.0

To divide something into parts

is broader and can mean simple breaking rather than formal allocation
to bifurcate
vsto split
  • Formal
8 8.6

To split into two parts or branches, like a river

is general and does not limit action to two or branching forms
to cleave
vsto split
8 8.0

To cut something in two using a sharp tool like an axe

is general and includes less forceful or toolless dividing
to subdivide
vsto split
8 4.2

To split something into smaller parts

is the basic act of making parts not necessarily repeated
to halve
vsto split
6 3.6

To cut something into two equal parts

is more general, covering any number of parts and various methods
to bisect
vsto split
5 5.1

Divide something into two equal parts, usually by a straight line or cut

is more general and can mean any number of parts or sizes
to section
vsto split
4 3.3

To divide something into separate parts

is more general and does not require organized or purposeful cutting
to disaggregate
vsto split
  • Specialized
3 7.5

To separate something into smaller parts to study it

is less specialized and can mean everyday physical dividing
to dissever
vsto split
  • Formal
1 9.9

To cut or separate something into parts, often by breaking it

is broader and may describe partial or temporary division
to redivide
vsto split
1 4.8

Make something into new parts or groups again

is the initial act of creating parts rather than repeating the action
to fragmentize
vsto split
8.2

To break something into many small pieces

is broader and does not focus on producing many tiny pieces
to rive
vsto split
9.8

To split something violently with a sharp tool

is broader and allows gentle dividing as well as violent tearing
to discerp
vsto split
  • Archaic
9.9

To tear something into separate parts, usually by force

is more general and does not require tearing or strong force
to dispart
vsto split
  • Archaic
9.5

To divide something into separate parts

is the common act of making parts without stressing clarity

Antonyms

2.1

To join people or things into one group for a shared purpose

1.0

Connect two things so they become attached

Idioms

to split hairs
  • Informal
15 6.8

Argue about very small differences that do not matter

lickety-split
  • Informal
4 8.8

Happens very quickly and without delay

lickety split
  • Informal
1 8.6

Very quickly without any delay

lickety-split
  • Informal
1 9.9

People say it to tell someone to hurry

1 5.6

To laugh very hard

1 8.1

To give each side part of what they want so both feel happy

Phrasal Verbs

to split up
  • Informal
137 2.7

To end a close relationship and go separate ways

47 2.6

To divide something into smaller parts

9 4.1

Agree on a middle amount between two offers

Compounds

43 2.5

A very short moment when something happens

10 1.0

A dessert of a banana with scoops of ice cream, sauces, nuts, and whipped cream

split personality
  • Specialized
9 8.0

A mental problem when one person acts like two or more different people with different memories and behaviour

A boxing result where two judges choose one boxer and the third chooses the other

3 2.0

A dried pea cut in half and used for soup

stock split
  • Specialized
2 5.5

A change by a company that gives each owner more shares while keeping their total value the same

1 7.3

A player who stands wide to catch passes for the team on offense

A thick hot dish made from split peas and vegetables

split up
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A company change that gives each owner more shares without changing total value

split infinitive
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A phrase where a word like 'boldly' comes between to and a verb, as in 'to boldly go'

1 6.1

A long wooden piece cut lengthwise from a log used in fences

1 4.6

A work schedule with two short work periods separated by a long break

1 5.8

To vote for candidates from more than one party in the same election

1 4.8

A fence made from split logs stacked horizontally in a zigzag

reverse split
  • Specialized
8.2

Reduce the number of a company's shares so each share is worth more without changing total investment value

reverse stock split
  • Specialized
7.9

A company action that combines its shares so each is worth more but the total value stays the same

split-brain technique
  • Specialized
9.7

A surgery that cuts the connection between the two halves of the brain

9.4

A number that shows how similar scores are on two parts of a test

split run
  • Jargon
8.1

A set of newspaper or magazine copies with some pages changed for different areas

How Divided

to shatter
72 2.8
to break
1.0
to split
513 1.3
cut
1.0
to separate
297 1.9

Surface Forms

split infinitive
splitting present participle
splits third person singular
split past
split past participle

Etymology

Split comes from an old Germanic word meaning 'to break' or 'to cut'. Think of an axe hitting wood and making it fall apart — that image helps remember that to split something is to break or divide it into parts.