snaffle
/ˈsnæfəl/noun, verb
snaffle is spelled S-N-A-F-F-L-E: 7 letters. It appears about once in every 11 million words in written English, the 99,289th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, snaffle means “A broad-mouthed, loose-ringed bit (metal in a horse's mouth). It brings pressure to bear on the tongue and the corners of the mouth, and is often…” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of snaffle is snaffles.
How many letters and syllables are in snaffle?
| Letters | 7: S-N-A-F-F-L-E |
|---|---|
| In writing | about once in every 11 million words; the 99,289th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is snaffle?
Snaffle appears about once in every 11 million words in written English, the 99,289th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce snaffle?
- /ˈsnæfəl/
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-snaffle.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of snaffle
- snaffles plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- snaffling participle, present
- snaffled participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does snaffle mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A broad-mouthed, loose-ringed bit (metal in a horse's mouth). It brings pressure to bear on the tongue and the corners of the mouth, and is often used as a training bit.
- 2
Decorative wear that looks like a snaffle.
verb
- 1
To put a snaffle on, or control with a snaffle.
- 2
To quell or suppress.
- 3
To clutch by the bridle.
- 4
informalTo grab or seize; to snap up.
- 5
informalTo purloin, or obtain by devious means.
- 6
UKarchaicTo talk foolishly.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Where does snaffle come from?
Apparently from Dutch snavel, from Middle Dutch snavel, snabel (“snout”), diminutive of Middle Dutch snabbe, snebbe (“bird's bill, neb”). Akin to Old Frisian snavel (“mouth”), Middle Low German snabbe (“neb, beak”), Old English nebb (“beak, bill, nose, face”). More at neb.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).