snapdragon: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal (botany, gardening); Technical (computing); Archaic (game)
Quick answer
What does “snapdragon” mean?
A flowering plant of the genus Antirrhinum, characterized by flowers that resemble a dragon's mouth which can be opened and closed by squeezing the sides.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A flowering plant of the genus Antirrhinum, characterized by flowers that resemble a dragon's mouth which can be opened and closed by squeezing the sides.
In computing, a proprietary mobile system-on-chip (SoC) and corresponding platform by Qualcomm. Also, historically, a Christmas game involving plucking raisins from burning brandy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The botanical term is identical. The computing term is global. The historical game 'snapdragon' was more commonly referenced in British Victorian literature.
Connotations
In gardening contexts, evokes cottage gardens and traditional planting. The computing term is neutral tech jargon.
Frequency
The plant name is moderately common among gardeners. The computing term is high-frequency in tech industries. The game is archaic.
Grammar
How to Use “snapdragon” in a Sentence
The [adjective] snapdragon [verb] in the sun.The phone is equipped with a [model] Snapdragon.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “snapdragon” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The snapdragon display was stunning at the village fete.
- It's a snapdragon processor, not the MediaTek one.
American English
- Her snapdragon bouquet won first prize.
- We need a phone with a Snapdragon CPU for this game.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tech: 'The new device features the latest Snapdragon chip.'
Academic
Botany: 'Antirrhinum majus, commonly called snapdragon, is a model organism in plant genetics.'
Everyday
Gardening: 'I'm going to plant some snapdragons along the border.'
Technical
Computing: 'The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers improved AI processing capabilities.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “snapdragon”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “snapdragon”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “snapdragon”
- Misspelling as 'snap dragon' (two words). Confusing with 'dragonfruit'. Using 'snapdragon' as a verb.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one word: 'snapdragon'.
Only in a very specific, metaphorical tech sense (e.g., 'snapdragon-fast processor'). It's not a general synonym for 'fast'.
There is no direct connection. Qualcomm used the name 'Snapdragon' for its chip platform, likely for its connotations of power and speed, separate from the flower.
It is an archaic Christmas parlour game from the 16th to 19th centuries and is rarely, if ever, played today.
A flowering plant of the genus Antirrhinum, characterized by flowers that resemble a dragon's mouth which can be opened and closed by squeezing the sides.
Snapdragon is usually informal (botany, gardening); technical (computing); archaic (game) in register.
Snapdragon: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsnæpˌdræɡ.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsnæpˌdræɡ.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “play snapdragon (archaic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a dragon that SNAPS its mouth shut when you pinch its cheeks, just like the flower's petals.
Conceptual Metaphor
FLOWERS ARE FACES / TECHNOLOGY IS POWER (for the chip)
Practice
Quiz
In a modern tech context, 'Snapdragon' most likely refers to: