grabby

American  

[grab-ee] / ˈgræb i /

adjective

grabbier, grabbiest

1. tending to grab or grasp for gain; greedy.

   a grabby ticket scalper.

2. Slang. provoking immediate attention or interest; arresting.

   a poster with some really grabby artwork.

3. having a capacity for or tendency toward holding, grasping, or sticking.

   Car tires that are too grabby waste fuel.

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grabby British  

/ ˈɡræbɪ /

adjective

1. greedy or selfish

2. direct, stimulating, or attention-grabbing

   grabbier opening paragraphs

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Etymology

Origin of grabby

First recorded in 1905–10; grab ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

With “Sheriff Country,” the most popular series on Bruckheimer’s CBS roster, his team spins a grabby tale for 2026 while grinding out the network quota of a 20-episode season.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

“Between Two Windows” is sort of like one of those money booth games at a birthday party or casino where dollar bills blow about, promising rewards to the grabby and clever.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2023

"The effect is congruent with the disappearance of instrumental intros in the grabby era of streaming, but it's also that of a person wanting to get something off their chest."

From BBC • May 5, 2023

Wright said Archives immediately stood out because she was able “to do everything” — from producing great beats to writing grabby hooks.

From New York Times • Mar. 10, 2023

He shows me a long metal pole with a grabby claw-thing on the end, a strange little object that looks like a compass, and a handful of plastic bags.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy