grab

¹

[grab]

verb (used with object)

grabbed, grabbing 

1. to seize suddenly or quickly; snatch; clutch.

   He grabbed me by the collar.

   Synonyms: catch, grip, grasp

2. to take illegal possession of; seize forcibly or unscrupulously.

   to grab land.

3. to obtain and consume quickly.

   Let's grab a sandwich before going to the movie.

4. Slang.

   1. to cause a reaction in; affect.

      How does my idea grab you?

   2. to arouse the interest or excitement of.

      The book was O.K., but it just didn't grab me.

verb (used without object)

grabbed, grabbing 

1. to make a grasping or clutching motion (usually followed byat ).

   He grabbed frantically at the life preserver.

2. (of brakes, a clutch, etc.) to take hold suddenly or with a jolting motion; catch.

noun

1. a sudden, quick grasp or snatch.

   to make a grab at something.

2. seizure or acquisition by violent or unscrupulous means.

3. something that is grabbed.

4. a mechanical device for gripping objects.

5. the capacity to hold or adhere.

   The glue was so old it had lost its grab.

grab

²

[grab]

noun

1. a ship having two or three masts with a square rig, common on the Malabar Coast in the 18th and 19th centuries.

grab

/ ɡræb /

verb

1. to seize hold of (something)

2. (tr) to seize illegally or unscrupulously

3. (tr) to arrest; catch

4. (intr) (of a brake or clutch in a vehicle) to grip and release intermittently causing juddering

5. informal,  (tr) to catch the attention or interest of; impress

noun

1. the act or an instance of grabbing

2. a mechanical device for gripping objects, esp the hinged jaws of a mechanical excavator

3. something that is grabbed

4. informal,  available to be bought, claimed, or won

Other Word Forms

• grabbable adjective
• ungrabbing adjective
• grabber noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grab¹

First recorded in 1580–90; cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle Low German grabben, Swedish grabba

Origin of grab²

First recorded in 1670–80; from Arabic ghurāb literally, “raven”

Word History and Origins

Origin of grab¹

C16: probably from Middle Low German or Middle Dutch grabben; related to Swedish grabba, Sanskrit grbhnāti he seizes

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. up for grabs, available to anyone willing to expend the energy to get it.

   The Republican nomination for mayor was up for grabs.

More idioms and phrases containing grab

• how does that grab you
• up for grabs

Example Sentences

Hand-wash a chef’s knife or a nonstick pan, and you can dry it for storage without grabbing a towel.

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Sometimes she’ll bring a friend—“It’s something good to do instead of going out to eat, or grabbing a drink, or even grabbing coffee”—but often she’ll join solo.

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For a quintessential way to wrap up a Driftless trip, grab a Spotted Cow and explore the grounds, built to resemble cathedral ruins.

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AMD has a few crucial advantages that can help in its quest to grab more market share from Nvidia.

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Corporate balance sheets, meanwhile, remain solid, giving investors confidence that they can grab extra yield without taking exorbitant risk.

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Related Words

• capture 
• catch 
• clutch 
• grasp 
• grip 
• seize 
• snag 
• snatch 
• take