Snit

//snɪt// noun, slang

noun, slang ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A temper; a bad mood. slang

    "Near-synonyms: fit, hissy, hissy fit, shit fit, tantrum, snippiness"

  2. 2
    A U.S. unit of volume for liquor equal to 2 jiggers, 3 U.S. fluid ounces, or 88.7 milliliters.
  3. 3
    A slice of dried fruit. dialectal, especially, in-plural

    "Scenes of plenty, bliss Arcad'n' Sparkling eyes and rosy features; Joyous, blessed, happy creatures! Apple snits and pumpkin slices; Eggs and butter bring good prices! Gran'ries full and runnin' Over; Bulging haymows sweet with clover; ..."

  4. 4
    a state of agitated irritation wordnet
  5. 5
    Term of abuse. derogatory, slang

    "I want some hot coffee now or so help me I'll throw you out on your arse, you little snit."

Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    A beer chaser commonly served in three-ounce servings in highball or juice glasses with a Bloody Mary cocktail in the upper midwest states of United States including Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Illinois. US, dialectal

    "The bartender served us each a snit with our Bloody Marys this morning."

Example

More examples

"Near-synonyms: fit, hissy, hissy fit, shit fit, tantrum, snippiness"

Etymology

Etymology 1

American English, of unknown origin, perhaps onomatopoeic.

Etymology 2

Likely related to Proto-Germanic *snidaz, i.e. a a little, a bit. Also perhaps from obsolete German Schnitt which is a small amount of beer served in a larger glass.

Etymology 3

From German Schnitte (“slice”).

Related phrases

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.