- 1
[transitive, intransitive] split (something) to divide, or to make a group of people divide, into smaller groups that have very different opinions a debate that has split the country down the middle The committee split over government subsidies.
- 2
[transitive, intransitive] to divide, or to make something divide, into two or more parts split something (into something) She split the class into groups of four. split (into something) The results split neatly into two groups. Slate splits easily into thin sheets. see split somethingup
- 3 [transitive] to divide something into two or more parts and share it between different people, activities, etc. split something (with somebody) She split the money she won with her brother. We share a house and split all the bills. split something between somebody/something His time is split between the London and Paris offices. see split somethingup tear
- 4 [intransitive, transitive] to tear, or to make something tear, along a straight line Her dress had split along the seam. split (something) open The cushion split open and sent feathers everywhere. split something Don't tell me you've split another pair of pants! cut
- 5 [transitive] to cut someone's skin and make it bleed split something open She split her head open on the cupboard door. split something How did you split your lip? end relationship
- 6 [intransitive] to leave someone and stop having a relationship with them split (with somebody) The singer split with his wife last June. split (from somebody) She intends to split from the band at the end of the tour. see split up (with somebody) leave
- 7 [intransitive] (old-fashioned) (informal) to leave a place quickly Let's split! Idioms
verb jump to other results
NAmE//splɪt//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they split he / she / it splits
past simple split
-ing form splitting
(when discussing a price, etc.) to agree on an amount that is at an equal distance between the two amounts that have been suggested
to divide something into two equal parts The town was split down the middle over the referendum (= half supported it, half did not).
to pay too much attention in an argument to differences that are very small and not important
to place an adverb between “to” and the infinitive of a verb, for example, to say “to strongly deny a rumor.” Some people consider this to be bad English style.
to laugh a lot at someone or something
to vote for candidates from more than one party Phrasal Verbssplit awaysplit up
Check pronunciation: split