Split — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb adjective noun /ˈsplit/

Meaning & Definition of Split

Split (verb)

  1. to divide lengthwise usually along a grain or seam or by layers
  2. to affect as if by cleaving or forcing apart
  3. to tear or rend apart, burst

Split (adjective)

  1. divided, fractured
  2. prepared for use by splitting
  3. heterozygous —used especially by breeders of cage birds sometimes with for

Split (noun)

  1. a narrow break made by or as if by splitting
  2. an arrangement of bowling pins left standing with space for pins between them
  3. a piece split off or made thin by splitting

Split (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to set or force apart

    "You should split logs now for a winter's supply of wood."

    similar: break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, dissociate, disunite, divide, divorce, part, ramify, resolve, separate, sever, sunder, uncouple, unlink, unyoke
    related: break down, decompose, disassemble, disintegrate, dissolve, bifurcate, bisect, cleave, dichotomize, dissect, fractionalize, fractionate, halve, partition, quarter, segment, subdivide, trisect, fragment, fragmentate, fragmentize, break, fracture, pull, rend, rift, rip, rive, rupture, tear, cut off, insulate, isolate, seclude, segregate, sequester, detach, disengage, disentangle, unravel, untie
    opposite: join, link, unify, unite
    near: assemble, associate, blend, combine, mingle, mix, connect, couple, accumulate, agglutinate, attach, bind, cement, close, fasten, fuse, knit, stick, weld

  2. to cause (people) to break up into opposing groups

    "The party split over which tax policy to endorse."

    similar: divide, polarize, separate, splinter
    related: fracture, fragment, alienate, disaffect, disgruntle, estrange, antagonize, embitter
    near: coalesce, unify, unite, conciliate, harmonize, reconcile, concentrate, consolidate

Split (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an irregular usually narrow break in a surface created by pressure

    "an earthquake left a split in the ground"

    similar: check, chink, cleft, crack, cranny, crevice, fissure, rift
    related: crevasse, craze, hairline, fracture, rupture, breach, gap, opening, cut, gash, incision, slit

  2. the act or process of a whole separating into two or more parts or pieces

    "the split of the group into two factions marked the beginning of the end of the organization"

    similar: bifurcation, breakup, cleavage, dissolution, disunion, division, fractionalization, fractionation, partition, schism, scission, separation, sundering
    related: breach, rupture, divorce, severance, decomposition, disassembly, dismemberment, segmentation, subdivision, atomization, dichotomization, polarization, diffusion, dispersal, dispersion, scattering, administration, apportionment, distribution, isolation, seclusion, segregation, sequestration
    opposite: unification, union
    near: assemblage, association, attachment, conjunction, connection, link, linkage, linkup, aggregation, combination, consolidation, fusion

Split (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. disagreeing with each other

    "opinions are split on the subject"

    similar: disunited, divided, at loggerheads, at odds
    related: balkanized, fractionalized, fractionated, cohesionless, factious
    opposite: unanimous, undivided, united

Related Entry: Split (on) (verb)

Split (on) is a different word from Split. The synonyms below are for split (on), not for split.

  1. to give information (as to the authorities) about another's improper or unlawful activities

    "promise you won't split on us, and we'll tell you what happened"

    similar: fink, grass (on) (British slang), inform, rat (on), sing, snitch, squeak, squeal, talk, tell (on), drop a dime (on)
    related: betray, give away, turn in, backstab, cross, double-cross, sell (out), two-time, blab, tattle, tip (off)

Related Entry: Split-second (adjective)

Split-second is a different word from Split. The synonyms below are for split-second, not for split.

  1. done or occurring without any noticeable lapse in time

    "a day trader who is used to making split-second decisions"

    similar: immediate, instant, instantaneous, straightaway
    related: summary, fast, hit-and-run, prompt, quick, rapid, speedy, swift
    near: dilatory, tardy, slow, sluggish, prolonged, protracted, deferred, delayed

Related Entry: Split second (noun)

Split second is a different word from Split. The synonyms below are for split second, not for split.

  1. a very small space of time

    "a devastating accident can cause everything in your life to change in a split second"

    similar: beat, eyeblink, flash, heartbeat, instant, jiff, jiffy, minute, moment, nanosecond, New York minute, second, shake, trice, twinkle, twinkling, wink
    related: microsecond, snatch, spurt
    near: eon, age, eternity, forever, infinity, lifetime

Related Entry: Split hairs (phrase)

Split hairs is a different word from Split. The synonyms below are for split hairs, not for split.

  1. to make often peevish criticisms or objections about matters that are minor, unimportant, or irrelevant

    "They fussed that the cheese should have been served at room temperature, but to me they were splitting hairs."

    similar: carp, cavil, fuss, niggle, nitpick, quibble
    related: criticize, fault, beef, bellyache, bitch, complain, crab, croak, gripe, grouse, growl, grumble, kick, kvetch, moan, squawk, squeal, wail, whimper, whine, yammer, yawp, yowl, murmur, mutter
    near: applaud, commend, compliment, praise, recommend, approve, back, champion, endorse, support

Related Entry: Split one's sides (phrase)

Split one's sides is a different word from Split. The synonyms below are for split one's sides, not for split.

  1. to show mirth with an explosive vocal sound

    "We split our sides every time we saw her comedy act."

    similar: break up, cackle, chortle, chuckle, crack up, giggle, hee-haw, laugh, roar, scream, snicker, titter, twitter
    related: grin, smile
    near: bawl, blubber, cry, sob, weep, howl, scream, squall, wail, yowl, bleat, pule, whimper, whine, sniffle, snivel, groan, moan, sigh

Related Entry: Split (up) (verb)

Split (up) is a different word from Split. The synonyms below are for split (up), not for split.

  1. as in separate, break up

    similar: break up, isolate, part, segregate, separate, clear out, disband, dispel, disperse, dissipate, scatter, squander, diffuse, disseminate, diverge, spread
    opposite: assemble, cluster, collect, concentrate, congregate, gather, ingather, agglutinate, conglomerate, unify, unite

Related Entry: Split level (noun)

Split level is a different word from Split. The synonyms below are for split level, not for split.

  1. as in ranch, ranch house

    similar: duplex, ranch, ranch house, saltbox, semi (chiefly British), townhome, town house, tract house, triplex, bungalow, cabin, casita, chalet, cottage, farmhouse, grange, hacienda, homestead, castle, château, countryseat, estate, hall, manor, manor house, mansion, McMansion, palace, villa, hermitage, manse, parsonage, rectory, vicarage, hooch (slang), hovel, hut, hutch, shack, shanty, accommodations, housing, nest, residency, shelter, apartment, apartment house, condo, condominium, flat, tenement, tenement house, walk-up, penthouse, salon, suite, barracks, billet, boardinghouse, dorm, dormitory, flophouse, lodging house, lodgment, room(s), rooming house

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Split

The most common words with a similar meaning to Split:

break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, dissociate, disunite, divide, divorce, part, ramify, resolve, separate, sever, sunder, uncouple, unlink, unyoke, polarize, splinter, check, chink, cleft, crack, cranny, crevice, fissure, rift, bifurcation, breakup, cleavage, dissolution, disunion, division, fractionalization, fractionation, partition, schism

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Split

Words with the opposite meaning of Split:

join, link, unify, unite, unification, union, unanimous, undivided, united

Related Words for Split

break down, decompose, disassemble, disintegrate, dissolve, bifurcate, bisect, cleave, dichotomize, dissect, fractionalize, fractionate, halve, quarter, segment, subdivide, trisect, fragment, fragmentate, fragmentize, break, fracture, pull, rend, rip, rive, rupture, tear, cut off, insulate

Near Antonyms of Split

assemble, associate, blend, combine, mingle, mix, connect, couple, accumulate, agglutinate, attach, bind, cement, close, fasten, fuse, knit, stick, weld, coalesce, conciliate, harmonize, reconcile, concentrate, consolidate, assemblage, association, attachment, conjunction, connection

Word Forms of Split

Inflections: splitting

Origin & Etymology of Split

Dutch splitten, from Middle Dutch; akin to Middle High German splīzen to split and probably to Old High German spaltan to split

First known use: 1567t

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Split

Words & Phrases Containing Split

split-brain, split decision, split end, split-fingered fastball, split hairs, split infinitive

Frequently Asked Questions about Split

What does "Split" mean?

"Split" means to divide lengthwise usually along a grain or seam or by layers. As an a verb, an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: to divide lengthwise usually along a grain or seam or by layers. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Split"?

Other words for "Split" include break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever and dissociate. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Split" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Split"?

There are 127 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Split". Common alternatives include break up, decouple, disassociate, disconnect, disjoin, disjoint, dissever, dissociate, disunite and divide.

What is the opposite of "Split"?

Antonyms of "Split" include join, link, unify, unite, unification, union, unanimous and undivided. Near antonyms include assemble, associate, blend and combine.

How do you use "Split" in a sentence?

Examples of "Split" in a sentence: "You should split logs now for a winter's supply of wood."; "The party split over which tax policy to endorse."; "an earthquake left a split in the ground".

Is "Split" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Split" can be used as a verb, an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Split" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Split" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Split"?

"Split" is pronounced /ˈsplit/.