Meaning & use
split
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To divide something into two or more parts, or to break along a line.
Grammar: Both: split the log; the log split.
Patterns
- split something into something
- split in two
He split the log with an axe.
The ice split under their weight.
She split the pizza into four slices.
verbtransitive
To share something among people.
Grammar: Takes an object: split the bill.
Patterns
- split something with someone
- split something between people
Let's split the cost of the gift.
They split the profits equally.
I split the cake with my brother.
verbtransitive or intransitive
To separate into groups that disagree, or to end a relationship or partnership.
Grammar: Often with up.
Patterns
- split up
- split from someone
The party split over the new policy.
They split up after five years.
The committee was split on the vote.
nouncountable
A break, crack or division, or a disagreement between people.
Grammar: Countable: a split in the party.
Patterns
- a split in something
- a split between people
There was a split in the board over pay.
A long split ran down the wood.
The split between the two friends hurt both.
Word forms
| third person singular | splits |
|---|---|
| past tense | split |
| past participle | split |
| -ing form | splitting |
| plural | splits |
Common combinations
- split the bill
- Shall we split the bill?
- split up
- The band split up in 1999.
- split decision
- The judges gave a split decision.
- split in two
- The branch split in two.
- split second
- In a split second, the glass fell.
- split the difference
- They agreed to split the difference.
Synonyms and how they differ
- divide
- Divide is more general and neutral, whereas split often involves force or a clean break.
- crack
- Crack means to break without separating completely, while split goes all the way through.
- share
- Share focuses on giving each person a part, while split stresses cutting up an amount.
- separate
- Separate means to move apart and does not require breaking anything.
Opposites
Word family
- splitting adjective
- as in a splitting headache
- splitter noun
- a person or device that splits
- splitsville noun
- informal term for a breakup
- splintering noun
- breaking into thin sharp pieces
Commonly confused: split or splint?
split vs splint
A splint is a support for a broken bone, not the act of dividing.
Practice
The two friends decided to ___ the restaurant bill evenly.
Choose one answer.
Split the bill means share the cost. Spill, spit and spoil look similar but mean different things.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “split”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.