split
(splɪt )
Word forms: splits , splitting language note: The form split is used in the present tense and is the past tense and past participle of the verb.
1. verb B2
If something splits or if you split it, it is divided into two or more parts.
In a severe gale the ship split in two. [V + in/into]
If the chicken is fairly small, you may simply split it in half. [V n + in/into]
We split the boards down the middle to use them for the back of the shelves. [VERB noun]
...uniting families split by the war. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: break, crack, burst, snap
2. verb
If an organization splits or is split, one group of members disagrees strongly with the other members, and may form a group of their own.
Yet it is feared the Republican leadership could split over the agreement. [VERB]
A leadership contest now would split the party. [VERB noun]
These organizations are really split by personal rivalries as much as by politics. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: divide, separate, disunite, disrupt
Split is also an adjective.
The Kremlin is deeply split in its approach to foreign policy.
3. countable noun
A split in an organization is a disagreement between its members.
They accused both radicals and conservatives of trying to provoke a split in the party.
4. singular noun
A split between two things is a division or difference between them.
...a split between what is thought and what is felt. [+ between]
5. verb B2
If something such as wood or a piece of clothing splits or is split, a long crack or tear appears in it.
The seat of his short grey trousers split. [VERB]
Twist the mixture into individual sausages without splitting the skins. [VERB noun]
He had a split lip and an eye that wouldn't open properly. [VERB-ed]
Synonyms: tear, rend [literary], rip, slash
6. countable noun
A split is a long crack or tear.
The plastic-covered seat has a few small splits around the corners.
Synonyms: crack, tear, rip, damage
7. verb
If two or more people split something, they share it between them.
I would rather pay for a meal than watch nine friends pick over and split a bill. [VERB noun]
Split the wages between you. [V n between pl-n]
All exhibits are for sale, the proceeds being split between a charity and the artist. [be V-ed + between]
Synonyms: share out, divide, distribute, halve
8. See also splitting
Phrasal verbs:
split off
phrasal verb
If people split off from a group, they stop being part of the group and become separated from it.
Somehow, Quentin split off from his comrades. [VERB PARTICLE]
...the Youth Wing which split off the National Liberal Party earlier this year. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
A key member of the San Diego Yacht Club team is splitting off to form his own team. [VERB PARTICLE]
split up
1. phrasal verb B2
If two people split up, or if someone or something splits them up, they end their relationship or marriage.
My parents split up when I was 16. [VERB PARTICLE]
I was beginning to think that nothing could ever split us up. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
I split up with my boyfriend last year. [VERB PARTICLE + with]
2. phrasal verb
If a group of people split up or are split up, they go away in different directions.
Did the two of you split up in the woods? [VERB PARTICLE]
This situation has split up the family. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
Touring the album temporarily split the band up. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
3. phrasal verb
If you split something up, or if it splits up, you divide it so that it is in a number of smaller separate sections.
Any thought of splitting up the company was unthinkable, they said. [VERB PARTICLE noun]
Even though museums have begged to borrow her collection, she could never split it up. [VERB noun PARTICLE]
Her company has had to split up and work from two locations. [VERB PARTICLE]
Image of split
© Tupungato, Shutterstock
Idioms:
split hairs
to make distinctions in a situation where the differences between things are actually very small and unimportant
But once you start splitting hairs like that, where are you going to stop?
Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Collocations:
split a group split the cost split the sky three-way split
I was saddened by the prospect of this friendship group being split up.
Times, Sunday Times
The group was split in two, with half going to bed as normal and the rest being kept awake by 'staff trained to prevent napping'.
Times, Sunday Times
The other group were split into eight smaller, self-contained worlds in which they could see only the ratings of others in their group.
Times, Sunday Times
He has split the group in two - one bit for health, the other home and hygiene.
The Sun
Here, the 'teacher' split the group, about 18 strong, into pairs of so-called 'talkers' and 'listeners'.
Times, Sunday Times
Larger apartments also mean that two families can share and split the cost.
The Sun (2011)
Besides, we'll be splitting the cost of the paintings fifty-fifty.
SOMETHING IN THE WATER (2003)
Is it fair that we split the cost of the taxi three ways?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
I've suggested we split the cost and file for joint custody.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
As the sun rose it split the sky, a seam of gold through the cloud, making the island look somehow unreal.
Times, Sunday Times
The magic that they exercise can split the sky, pierce the ground and dissolve metal.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Outside, another volley of gunfire splits the sky.
Times, Sunday Times
You could do a three-way split between a level, inflation-linked and an escalating annuity.
Times, Sunday Times
And here we have a three-way split.
Times, Sunday Times
The minutes from the monetary policy committee's meeting this month suggest that some members may consider voting for a rise next month, prompting a three-way split in the nine-member committee.
Times, Sunday Times
It was decided to implement a three-way split of the 219 territory.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
His finish in the primary was later declared to be part of a three-way split decision for third place.
Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0
Translations:
Chinese: 分岔, 分歧
Japanese: 割る, 分裂
- catastrophic decline
- catastrophic defeat
- catastrophic destruction
- catastrophic earthquake
- catastrophic effect
- catastrophic error
- catastrophic event
- catastrophic explosion
- catastrophic fire
- catastrophic flood
- catastrophic flooding
- catastrophic impact
- catastrophic injury
- catastrophic loss
- catastrophic mistake
- catastrophic outcome
- catastrophic result
- catastrophic risk
- catastrophic situation
- catastrophic war
- catatonic
- catatonic state
- catbird seat
- cat burglar
- catcall