Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute“Screenshot” is one word. Oxford’s American English dictionary lists screenshot as the noun for an image of a computer or phone display, and Google’s developer documentation style guide says “Not screen shot or screensnap.” Use the closed spelling in ordinary writing: “Please attach a screenshot.” Oxford’s dictionary entry and Google’s word list support that answer.
The short answer: write “screenshot”
In the standard references checked for this question, screenshot is written as a single, closed compound. The two-word form screen shot is not the preferred spelling in the cited guidance. Google’s developer documentation style guide states the rule in unusually direct terms: “Not screen shot or screensnap.”
Oxford labels its entry American English and defines the computing noun as an image of what appears on a screen. That label matters: it confirms the spelling in that dictionary’s American-English coverage, but it is not a claim that one entry surveys every regional variety of English.
How to use “screenshot” in a sentence
As a noun
The ordinary grammatical use is as a countable noun:
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- “Send me a screenshot of the error.”
- “The tutorial includes three screenshots.”
- “Her screenshot showed the entire settings page.”
The plural is screenshots, formed by adding -s to the closed compound. The possessive forms are screenshot’s for one screenshot and screenshots’ for more than one.
In compounds and labels
Keep the word closed when it modifies another noun unless your organization has a specific contrary house rule:
- screenshot tool
- screenshot API
- screenshot editor
- screenshot gallery
- full-page screenshot
In full-page screenshot, the hyphen belongs to full-page, not to screenshot. Do not change the spelling to screen-shot merely because the phrase is functioning as a modifier.
As a verb: follow the publication’s style
People commonly use screenshot as a verb in casual and technical communication, as in “Screenshot the confirmation page.” Google’s developer documentation style guide takes a narrower position for its own documentation: it recommends writing take a screenshot rather than using screenshot as a verb. That is a Google house-style rule, not a universal grammar prohibition.
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If you are writing product documentation, check the publication’s style sheet before changing every verbal use. A team may prefer “take a screenshot” for consistency, while another may permit “screenshot the page.” Whichever policy you choose, keep the noun spelling closed.
“Screenshot” versus “screen shot”
| Form | Recommended treatment | Example |
|---|---|---|
| screenshot | Use as the standard noun spelling in the cited dictionary and Google guidance. | “Attach a screenshot.” |
| screen shot | Not the preferred form in Google’s developer documentation style guide. | Replace “screen shot” with “screenshot” in edited prose. |
| screen-shot | Not the closed spelling supported by the cited references. | Do not introduce the hyphen without a specific house-style reason. |
| screensnap | Explicitly rejected by Google’s word list for its documentation. | Use “screenshot” instead. |
You may still encounter screen shot in an old document, a quotation, a file name, a product name or a user interface label. Preserve an exact quotation or official name when accuracy requires it; otherwise, standardize your own prose to screenshot. Do not silently alter a brand or a literal UI string that readers must find on screen.
What the dictionary evidence does—and does not—establish
The Oxford source supplied for this question is specifically an American English entry. It establishes a closed noun spelling in that reference. It does not, by itself, establish a complete history of the term, a universal rule for every English dialect, or the preferred verb policy for every publisher.
The Google source is a technology documentation style guide. Its “Not screen shot or screensnap” wording is a publisher-specific usage instruction, but it is especially useful when you are editing software manuals, API references, help centers or developer tutorials. Treat it as Google’s rule for Google-style documentation rather than as an independent dictionary definition.
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What to do if you are following AP style
For an Associated Press style question, AP’s help page identifies Merriam-Webster as its primary dictionary for spelling, style, usage and foreign geographic names. The help page says that arrangement took effect on May 29, 2024. If your newsroom or class requires AP style, consult the AP guidance on its dictionary when a word is not covered directly by the Stylebook.
AP also offers a 57th-edition Stylebook as a broader writing and editing reference. It is optional for this spelling question: you do not need to purchase a style manual to know that the cited dictionary and Google guidance use screenshot as one word. Details such as edition status and retail availability can change, so use the official AP Stylebook page for current product information.
A practical editing decision tree
- Identify the grammatical role. If the word names an image, use the noun screenshot. If it describes an action, check your organization’s verb policy.
- Apply the closed spelling. Change screen shot, screen-shot and (in Google-style documentation) screensnap to screenshot, unless the form is an exact quotation, official name or literal interface text.
- Check compounds. Write forms such as screenshot API and full-page screenshot; hyphenate only an independent modifier such as full-page.
- Check plural and possessive endings. Use screenshots, screenshot’s and screenshots’ according to the normal noun rules.
- Verify the governing authority. For Google developer documentation, follow Google’s word list. For AP work, use AP’s stated Merriam-Webster route and any newsroom style sheet layered on top.
Examples for technical and general writing
| Situation | Clear wording |
|---|---|
| Support request | “Please include a screenshot of the error message.” |
| Product instruction | “Take a screenshot after selecting Save.” |
| API documentation | “The endpoint returns a screenshot in PNG, JPEG or WebP format.” |
| Plural reference | “The guide contains screenshots for Windows and macOS.” |
| Caption | “Screenshot: notification settings.” |
| Search or help text | “How to capture a screenshot” |
These examples keep the spelling stable while allowing the verb choice to follow the relevant house style. If you are editing a document that adopts Google’s guidance, “take a screenshot” is the safer construction.
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Common wording mistakes and fixes
Writing “screen shot” because the words sound separate
Compounds often begin as separate words, but current usage in the cited references is closed. Use the dictionary and the style authority that governs your publication rather than spelling by sound.
Assuming Google’s verb rule applies everywhere
Google’s recommendation to write “take a screenshot” is useful when following Google documentation style. It should not be presented as a universal ban on the verb. State the house style you are applying.
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Changing an official label
A product name, quoted text or exact interface label may intentionally contain a different form. Preserve it when reproducing the official text, then use screenshot in your surrounding explanation.
Buying a style manual for a one-word answer
AP’s 57th-edition book is a general reference, not a requirement for resolving this spelling. Start with the relevant dictionary or the style guide your publication already follows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “screenshot” hyphenated when it modifies another noun?
The cited references support the closed spelling. In a phrase such as “full-page screenshot,” the hyphen joins “full” and “page”; it does not hyphenate “screenshot.” Follow your publication’s style sheet for unusual compounds.
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Does the answer change between American and British English?
The Oxford source used here labels its entry American English, so it does not by itself survey every English variety. Check the dictionary or editorial standard required for your regional publication.
Can I write “screenshotted”?
Verb forms depend on the house style you follow. Google’s developer documentation prefers “take a screenshot,” while another publication may permit a verb form. Keep the noun “screenshot” closed.
Why does Google mention “screensnap”?
Google’s developer documentation word list explicitly says “Not screen shot or screensnap.” That is Google’s documentation guidance, not a claim that every historical or branded use has disappeared.
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