snapshot
/ˈsnæpʃɒt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsnæpʃɑːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsnap-ˌshät/ (ame, mw)
snapshot — noun
- snapshotsingular
- snapshotsplural
1. A picture that is taken quickly and without formal preparation, usually with a s
A picture that is taken quickly and without formal preparation, usually with a small camera or mobile phone.
Olivia took a snapshot of the sunset over the harbour with her phone.
take a snapshot of [something]
The old box was full of faded snapshots from Arjun's grandparents' wedding.
faded snapshots — old printed photos
Hao keeps a digital snapshot of his daughter's first painting on his laptop.
A snapshot of the festival crowd appeared in the local newspaper the next morning.
- photo
shorter and more common in everyday speech; less specific about how the picture was taken
- photograph
more formal; can refer to any camera image, including professional ones
- picture
broadest term; also includes drawings and paintings
用法筆記
Unlike photograph, snapshot suggests a picture taken informally and quickly rather than in a studio or with professional equipment.
2. A quick look at a situation, group, or time period that shows what it is like, w
A quick look at a situation, group, or time period that shows what it is like, without giving every detail.
This report gives a snapshot of the company's financial health at year-end.
provide a snapshot of [something]
The morning walk gave Élise a quick snapshot of how the neighbourhood had changed.
a quick snapshot of [a changing situation]
Each student's test score is just one snapshot of their overall progress at school.
Minh's article offers a fascinating snapshot of daily life in 18th-century Kyoto.
- overview
more deliberate and thorough; suggests a wider view rather than a quick look
- glimpse
more visual and momentary; suggests something seen briefly by chance
- cross-section
emphasises that the view is representative of a larger group
- summary
text-based rather than visual; presents condensed information in words
用法筆記
Frequently used with the preposition 'of' to specify the subject or time period being described. Often modified by adjectives such as 'brief', 'quick', or 'fascinating'.