snatch
Americanverb (used without object)
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snatches,
present (3rd person singular)
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snatched,
past participle, past
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snatching
present participle
verb (used with object)
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snatches,
present (3rd person singular)
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snatched,
past participle, past
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snatching
present participle
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to seize by a sudden or hasty grasp.
He snatched the old lady's purse and ran.
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to take, get, secure, etc., suddenly or hastily.
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to rescue or save by prompt action.
He snatched the baby from the fire.
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Slang. to kidnap.
noun
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snatches
plural
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the act or an instance of snatching.
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a sudden motion to seize something; grab.
He made a snatch as if to stop her.
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a bit, scrap, or fragment of something.
snatches of conversation.
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a brief spell of effort, activity, or any experience.
to work in snatches.
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Nautical. a sheave or projecting member serving as a fairlead.
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a brief period of time.
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Slang. an act of kidnapping.
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Slang: Vulgar. vulva; vagina.
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Weightlifting. a lift in which the barbell is brought in a single motion from the floor to an arms-extended position overhead.
verb
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(tr) to seize or grasp (something) suddenly or peremptorily
he snatched the chocolate out of my hand
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to seize or attempt to seize suddenly
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(tr) to take hurriedly
to snatch some sleep
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(tr) to remove suddenly
she snatched her hand away
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(tr) to gain, win, or rescue, esp narrowly
they snatched victory in the closing seconds
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(tr) (in weightlifting) to lift (a weight) with a snatch
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informal to leave a job, taking whatever pay is due
noun
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an act of snatching
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a fragment or small incomplete part
snatches of conversation
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a brief spell
snatches of time off
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weightlifting a lift in which the weight is raised in one quick motion from the floor to an overhead position
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slang an act of kidnapping
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slang a robbery
a diamond snatch
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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snatchernoun
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outsnatchverb (used with object)
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snatchableadjective
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unsnatchedadjective
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snatchinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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snatchsimple
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snatchessimple
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have snatchedperfect
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has snatchedperfect
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am snatchingprogressive
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are snatchingprogressive
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is snatchingprogressive
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have been snatchingperfect progressive
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has been snatchingperfect progressive
Past
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snatchedsimple
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had snatchedperfect
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was snatchingprogressive
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were snatchingprogressive
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had been snatchingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of snatch
1175–1225; Middle English snacche (noun), snacchen (v.) < ?; cognate with Middle Dutch snacken
Explanation
When you snatch something, you grab it — either literally or figuratively. You might eagerly snatch the TV remote or your best friend's idea. Snatching can be nasty. You might snatch a lost balloon before it gets away, or snatch your cat before he can escape the room. The verb snatch can also be used in a figurative way, like when you snatch the first job offer that comes your way after graduating from college. The origin is most likely the Middle English word snacche, which means "to suddenly snap at," or in its noun form, "a trap."
Vocabulary lists containing snatch
"Thank You, M'am"
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Similes from Top AP English Exam Novels
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Because of Winn-Dixie
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
And each time, the notes danced away just before I could snatch the answer from my memory bank.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
The marauding monkeys brazenly snatch ice cream, cakes and crisps from unwitting tourists in addition to gobbling abandoned leftovers from bins or food directly offered to them.
From Barron's ● May 22, 2026
But with Hannah Einbinder’s final ‘Hacks’ turn and a scene-stealing Michelle Pfeiffer in the wings, it may take another year for her to finally snatch it.”
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2026
In bigger markets, like New York’s LaGuardia Airport, Spirit owned valuable slots that other airlines could snatch up during the bankruptcy proceedings.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 17, 2026
She shot me a cautioning look, as if she sensed my urge to snatch it and tear it to shreds.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
They included bricks that would play snatches of the iconic theme song and emit coin-collecting sound effects as Mario characters moved around.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026
"It's Olympic lifts we're doing - clean and jerk, snatches, squats, the lot," says Hammy McMillan, who's gold medal-tipped men's rink start their campaign on Wednesday.
From BBC ● Feb. 11, 2026
As the night closed, conversation abounded and ideas flitted in overheard snatches.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2025
Filthy walls were scrawled with names, pleas and snatches of poetry.
From New York Times ● Jun. 5, 2024
Dad snatches the phone from Camille and waves it around dramatically.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
Questions about his age and passing ability may have led teams to skip King during the draft in April, but the Panthers snatched him up in free agency immediately afterward.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
When freedom was snatched away, Elizabeth Turner’s mother fought back, and changed the Constitution.
From Slate ● Jul. 25, 2026
American commandos snatched the pair from their compound in Caracas on January 3.
From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026
There were anguished gasps from the crowd as Gauff, in total control of the point, snatched at a drop shot and sent it sinking into the net.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
Flapping their short wings, the puffins seemed to fly through the water as they snatched fish with their sturdy beaks.
From "The Wild Robot Protects" by Peter Brown
The officer invoked this exception against Lau, snatching his green card and “paroling” him into the country.
From Slate ● Jun. 23, 2026
Callanan’s habit of taking a swipe at the American Ellmann in one footnote after another is almost endearing, even when it leaves the impression of snatching a piece of property back from an interloper.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 24, 2026
He spent the next decade receiving similar recognition, even snatching up a best rap performance Grammy Award for his work on “King’s Dead” in 2018.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2026
He said pursuits had to be considered carefully, giving an example of one moped rider spotted snatching multiple phones on Oxford Street.
From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2026
Harry jumped up as though he had received an electric shock, knocked over his chair, and started snatching anything and everything within reach from the floor and throwing it into the trunk.
From "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J.K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
