split
[verb]
Synonyms:
- break, burst, come apart, come undone, crack, give way, open, rend, rip
- separate, branch, cleave, disband, disunite, diverge, fork, part
- share out, allocate, allot, apportion, distribute, divide, halve, partition
[noun]
Synonyms:
- crack, breach, division, fissure, gap, rent, rip, separation, slit, tear
- division, breach, break-up, discord, dissension, estrangement, rift, rupture, schism
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- divided, broken, cleft, cracked, fractured, ruptured

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Related Words: crack, rive, alienating, estranging

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English Thesaurus: break, smash, shatter, crack, burst, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. split¹ S2 W3 /splɪt/ verb (past tense and past participle split, present participle splitting)
[Date: 1500-1600; Language: Dutch; Origin: splitten]

1. DISAGREE [intransitive and transitive] if a group of people splits, or if it is split, people in the group disagree strongly with each other and the group sometimes divides into separate smaller groups:
It was feared that the issue would split the church.
be split on/over something
The party is split over the issue of immigration.
The government appears deeply split on this issue.
split from
The Pan-Africanist Congress split from the ANC in 1959.
split something in two/down the middle
The war has split the nation in two.

2. SEPARATE INTO PARTS (also split up) [intransitive and transitive] to divide or separate something into different parts or groups, or to be divided into different parts or groups
split into
Can you split into groups of three now?
split something into something
The book is split into six sections.

3. BREAK OR TEAR [intransitive and transitive] if something splits, or if you split it, it tears or breaks along a straight line:
The branch split under their weight.
One of the boxes had split open.
split (something) in two/half
The board had split in two.
Split the pineapple down the middle.

4. SHARE [transitive] to divide something into separate parts and share it between two or more people
split something between somebody/something
Profits will be split between three major charities.
split something with somebody
He agreed to sell the car and split the proceeds with his brother.
split something three/four etc ways (=share something between three, four etc people or groups)
The money will have to be split three ways.
We agreed to split the cost.

5. INJURE [transitive] to make someone’s head or lip have a cut in it, as a result of a fall or hit:
She fell against a table and split her lip.
The force of the blow nearly split his head open.

6. END RELATIONSHIP (also split up) [intransitive] informal if people split, they end a marriage or relationship with each other
split with/from
He split from his wife last year.
The band split two years ago.

7. LEAVE [intransitive] old-fashioned informal to leave a place quickly:
Come on – let’s split.

8. split hairs to argue that there is a difference between two things, when the difference is really too small to be important:
This is just splitting hairs.

9. split the difference to agree on an amount that is exactly between two amounts that have been mentioned:
OK, let’s split the difference, and I’ll give you £20.

10. split your sides informal to laugh a great deal
split off phrasal verb

1. (also split away) if one part of something splits off from the rest, it becomes completely separate from it
split off from
A huge lump of rock had split off from the cliff face.

2. (also split away) if a small group of people split off from a larger group, they become separate from it
split off from
The group split away from the Green Party and formed the Environmental Alliance.

3. split something ↔ off to separate one part of something and make it completely separate from the rest
split something ↔ off from
This part of the business has now been split off from the main company.
split on somebody phrasal verb British English informal
to tell someone in authority about something wrong that someone else has done:
Don’t you dare split on us!
split up phrasal verb

1. if people split up, or if someone splits them up, they end a marriage or relationship with each other:
Steve’s parents split up when he was four.
split up with
I thought she’d split up with her boyfriend.
split somebody ↔ up
Why would she try to split us up?

2. to divide people into different groups, or to be divided into groups:
Please don’t split up when we get to the museum.
split something/somebody ↔ up
The teacher split up the class into three groups.

3. split something ↔ up to divide something into different parts
split something ↔ up into
The house has now been split up into individual flats.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. split² noun [countable]

1. TEAR a tear or crack in something made of cloth, wood etc
split in
a long split in the sleeve of his coat

2. DISAGREEMENT a serious disagreement that divides an organization or group of people into smaller groups Synonym : rift
split in/within
The argument could lead to a damaging split in the party.
a deep split within the government
split between
a split between the radicals and the moderates within the group
split over
The union is desperate to avoid a split over this issue.

3. END OF RELATIONSHIP informal the end of a marriage or relationship - used especially in newspapers and magazines:
rumours of a marriage split
split with
She seems to be getting over her recent split with her fiancé.

4. DIVIDING SOMETHING the way in which something, especially money, is shared between several people:
In a publishing deal, the average split used to be 50:50 between writer and publisher.
three-way/four-way etc split (=when something is shared equally between three, four etc people)
a three-way split in the profits

5. SEPARATION informal a clear separation or difference between two things
split between
the traditional split between the state and church

6. do the splits to spread your legs wide apart so that your legs touch the floor along their whole length

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

split
noun
ADJ. clear, deep, major, serious A serious split in the ruling coalition appeared soon after the election.
growing | damaging
VERB + SPLIT cause, lead to
SPLIT + VERB appear, occur, open up
PREP. ~ between a split between the right and left wings of the party
~ in/within, ~ over a growing split in the Church over the ordination of women
~ with Mike's split with his wife

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

split
verb
I. break into two or more parts
ADV. easily Plastic splits quite easily.
apart
PREP. into He split the log into several pieces.
PHRASES split (sth) across/down the middle The lid had split down the middle.
split (sth) open The ripe seed pod splits open and scatters the seeds.
split (sth) in half/two Split the coconut in half.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

split
II. separate into different groups
ADV. formally | eventually, finally | apart, away, off, up The rock group split up last year.
PREP. from Several factions split from the party.
into On January 1,1993 Czechoslovakia formally split into two independent states.
on/over The party finally split over the issue of gun control.
PHRASES be deeply/irrevocably split The party is deeply split on this issue.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

split
III. divide/share sth
ADV. equally, evenly
PREP. among, between The cost has been split equally between three countries.
PHRASES split sth two/three/four ways The profit will be split three ways.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

break verb [intransitive] to become damaged and separate into pieces:
Plastic breaks quite easily.
smash verb [intransitive] to break after being hit with a lot of force:
The bowl smashed as it hit the floor.
shatter verb [intransitive] to break into a lot of small pieces:
The glass shattered all over the pavement.
crack verb [intransitive] if something cracks, a line appears on the surface, which means that it could later break into separate pieces:
The ice was starting to crack.
burst verb [intransitive] if a tyre, balloon, pipe etc bursts, it gets a hole and air or liquid suddenly comes out of it:
She blew up the balloon until it burst.
split verb [intransitive] to break in a straight line:
The damp had caused the wood to split.
crumble verb [intransitive] to break into a powder or a lot of small pieces:
The cork just crumbled in my hand.
hole an empty space in the surface of something, which sometimes goes all the way through it:
A fox had dug a hole under our fence.
Rain was coming in through a hole in the roof.
space an empty area between two things, into which you can put something:
Are there any empty spaces on the bookshelf?
a parking space
gap an empty area between two things or two parts of something, especially one that should not be there:
He has a gap between his two front teeth.
I squeezed through a gap in the hedge.
opening a hole that something can pass through or that you can see through, especially at the entrance of something:
The train disappeared into the dark opening of the tunnel.
I looked through the narrow opening in the wall.
leak a small hole where something has been damaged or broken that lets liquid or gas flow in or out:
a leak in the pipe
The plumber's coming to repair the leak.
puncture especially British English a small hole in a tyre through which air escapes:
My bike's got a puncture.
slot a straight narrow hole that you put a particular type of object into:
You have to put a coin in the slot before you dial the number.
A small disk fits into a slot in the camera.
crater a round hole in the ground made by an explosion or by a large object hitting it hard:
a volcanic crater
The meteor left a crater over five miles wide.
the craters on the moon

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

break verb [transitive] to damage something and make it separate into pieces, for example by dropping it or hitting it:
Careful you don’t break the chair.
He broke his leg.
smash verb [transitive] to break something with a lot of force:
A policeman smashed his camera.
snap verb [transitive] to break something into two pieces, making a loud noise – used especially about long thin objects:
He snapped the sticks in two.
split verb [transitive] to separate something into two pieces along a straight line:
Using a sharp knife, split the melon in half.
fracture verb [transitive] to damage a bone, especially so that a line appears on the surface:
I fell over and fractured my wrist.
tear /teə $ ter/ verb [transitive] to damage paper or cloth by pulling it so that it separates into pieces:
She tore up the letter and put it in the bin.
I tore my jacket.
injury damage to part of your body caused by an accident or an attack:
The passengers were taken to hospital with minor injuries.
wound an injury, especially a deep cut in your skin made by a knife, bullet, or bomb:
He died of a gunshot wound to the head.
cut a small injury made when a sharp object cuts your skin:
Blood was running from a cut on his chin.
bruise a dark mark on your skin that you get when you fall or get hit:
Jack often comes home from playing rugby covered in bruises.
graze/scrape a small injury that marks your skin or breaks the surface slightly:
She fell off her bike and got a few grazes on her legs and knees.
gash a long deep cut:
He had a deep gash across his forehead.
bump an area of skin that is swollen because you have hit it against something:
How did you get that bump on your head?
sprain an injury to your ankle, wrist, knee etc, caused by suddenly twisting it:
It’s a slight sprain – you should rest your ankle for a week.
strain an injury to a muscle caused by stretching it or using it too much:
a muscle strain in his neck

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

break verb [transitive] to damage something and make it separate into pieces, for example by dropping it or hitting it:
Careful you don’t break the chair.
He broke his leg.
smash verb [transitive] to break something with a lot of force:
A policeman smashed his camera.
snap verb [transitive] to break something into two pieces, making a loud noise – used especially about long thin objects:
He snapped the sticks in two.
split verb [transitive] to separate something into two pieces along a straight line:
Using a sharp knife, split the melon in half.
fracture verb [transitive] to damage a bone, especially so that a line appears on the surface:
I fell over and fractured my wrist.
tear /teə $ ter/ verb [transitive] to damage paper or cloth by pulling it so that it separates into pieces:
She tore up the letter and put it in the bin.
I tore my jacket.
photograph a picture taken using a camera:
Visitors are not allowed to take photographs inside the museum.
our wedding photographs
photo informal a photograph:
a way of displaying your digital photos
Do you want me to take your photo?
picture a photograph of someone or something:
I saw her picture in the paper the other day.
This is a really good picture of Sarah.
Can I take your picture?
shot informal a photograph – used especially by people who often take photographs:
I got some great shots of Mount Fuji.
It's a lovely shot.
print a photograph that has been printed on photographic paper:
a set of 4 by 6 inch prints

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

break verb [transitive] to damage something and make it separate into pieces, for example by dropping it or hitting it:
Careful you don’t break the chair.
He broke his leg.
smash verb [transitive] to break something with a lot of force:
A policeman smashed his camera.
snap verb [transitive] to break something into two pieces, making a loud noise – used especially about long thin objects:
He snapped the sticks in two.
split verb [transitive] to separate something into two pieces along a straight line:
Using a sharp knife, split the melon in half.
fracture verb [transitive] to damage a bone, especially so that a line appears on the surface:
I fell over and fractured my wrist.
tear /teə $ ter/ verb [transitive] to damage paper or cloth by pulling it so that it separates into pieces:
She tore up the letter and put it in the bin.
I tore my jacket.
shatter verb [intransitive] to break into a lot of small pieces:
The glass shattered all over the pavement.
crack verb [intransitive] if something cracks, a line appears on the surface, which means that it could later break into separate pieces:
The ice was starting to crack.
burst verb [intransitive] if a tyre, balloon, pipe etc bursts, it gets a hole and air or liquid suddenly comes out of it:
She blew up the balloon until it burst.
crumble verb [intransitive] to break into a powder or a lot of small pieces:
The cork just crumbled in my hand.
have/take a break
After two hours, she took a break and switched on the radio.
need a break
I’m sorry, I can’t do any more - I need a break.
a short/quick break
Shall we have a quick five-minute break?
a lunch break
What time’s your lunch break?
a coffee/tea break
How about a coffee break?
a morning/afternoon break
I don’t usually have time for a morning break.
a well-earned break (=one that you deserve)
Everyone’s looking forward to a well-earned break when the exams are over.
vacation especially American English, holiday especially British English time you spend away from school or work:
Are you taking a vacation this summer?
We met on holiday in Cyprus.
What are you doing in the school holidays?
holiday a day that is set by law, when no one has to go to work or school:
the Thanksgiving holiday
New Year's Day is a national holiday.
In 2002, there was an extra public holiday to mark the Queen's golden jubilee.
the August bank holiday (=day when all the banks and shops are closed – used in British English)
leave a time when you are allowed not to work:
We get four weeks' annual leave (=paid time off work each year).
He has been taking a lot of sick leave (=time off work because you are ill) recently.
Angela is on maternity leave (= time off work when having a baby).
He was given compassionate leave (=time off work because someone close to you has died, is very ill etc) to go to his father's funeral.
sabbatical [usually singular] a period when someone, especially a teacher, stops doing their usual work in order to study or travel:
She was on sabbatical for six months.
I'm thinking of taking a sabbatical.
furlough a period of time when a soldier or someone working in another country can return to their own country as a holiday:
While on furlough, he and his girlfriend got married.
R & R (rest and relaxation) a holiday, especially one given to people in the army, navy etc after a long period of hard work or during a war:
Soldiers in Vietnam were taken to Hawaii for R & R.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

separate verb [transitive] to divide something into two or more parts or groups, or to divide one type of thing from another. You use separate especially when saying that the parts are different from each other:
Motorola is planning to separate the company into two public companies.
The items are separated into recyclable and non-recyclable waste.
divide verb [transitive] to make something become two or more parts or groups:
The teacher divided us into groups.
The money was divided between them.
The house is divided into three apartments.
split verb [transitive] to separate something into two or more groups, parts etc – used especially when each part is equal in size:
The class was split into groups of six.
break something up phrasal verb [transitive] to separate something into several smaller parts, especially to make it easier to deal with:
The phone company was broken up to encourage competition.
Police used tear gas to break up the crowd.
segregate verb [transitive] to separate one group of people from others because of race, sex, religion etc:
Schools were racially segregated.
Some prisons segregate prisoners who are infected with HIV.
break up phrasal verb [intransitive] to separate into several smaller parts:
In spring, the icebergs begin to break up.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

setback a problem that stops you from making progress:
The space program suffered a major setback when the space shuttle, Discovery, exploded.
snag informal a problem, especially one that you had not expected:
There’s a snag – I don’t have his number.
hitch a small problem that delays or prevents something:
There have been a few last-minute hitches.
trouble when something does not work in the way it should:
The plane developed engine trouble.
hassle spoken a situation that is annoying because it causes problems:
Just trying to store all this stuff is a hassle.
tear to damage paper or cloth by pulling it too hard, or letting it touch something sharp:
She unwrapped the present carefully, trying not to tear the paper.
I tore a hole in my jacket, climbing over the fence.
rip to tear something quickly or violently:
Beth excitedly ripped open the package.
Stop pulling my dress! You’ll rip it!
split to tear your trousers or shirt when you put them on, because they are too tight for you:
He bent down and split his trousers.
Oh no, now I’ve split my shirt.
ladder British English if a woman ladders her tights or STOCKINGS, she tears them so that a long thin line appears in them:
Damn! I’ve laddered my tights!
shred to deliberately destroy letters, documents etc by cutting them into thin pieces, often by using a special machine:
In order to prevent fraud, it’s best to shred your bank statements.
I went through all my papers shredding things I didn’t need.
frayed torn a little along the edges – used about clothes, carpets etc that have been used a lot:
He was wearing an old pair of frayed jeans.
The rug was a little frayed around the edges.
The jacket was a little frayed at the cuffs.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲

tear to damage paper or cloth by pulling it too hard, or letting it touch something sharp:
She unwrapped the present carefully, trying not to tear the paper.
I tore a hole in my jacket, climbing over the fence.
rip to tear something quickly or violently:
Beth excitedly ripped open the package.
Stop pulling my dress! You’ll rip it!
split to tear your trousers or shirt when you put them on, because they are too tight for you:
He bent down and split his trousers.
Oh no, now I’ve split my shirt.
ladder British English if a woman ladders her tights or STOCKINGS, she tears them so that a long thin line appears in them:
Damn! I’ve laddered my tights!
snag to catch a piece of clothing on something rough or sharp so that it tears slightly:
I snagged my shirt on a nail.
shred to deliberately destroy letters, documents etc by cutting them into thin pieces, often by using a special machine:
In order to prevent fraud, it’s best to shred your bank statements.
I went through all my papers shredding things I didn’t need.
frayed torn a little along the edges – used about clothes, carpets etc that have been used a lot:
He was wearing an old pair of frayed jeans.
The rug was a little frayed around the edges.
The jacket was a little frayed at the cuffs.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲