clutch

[ kluhch ]

/ klʌtʃ /

See synonyms for: clutch / clutched / clutches / clutching on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to seize with or as with the hands or claws; snatch: The bird swooped down and clutched its prey with its claws.

to grip or hold tightly or firmly: She clutched the child's hand as they crossed the street.

Slang. to spellbind; grip a person's emotions, attention, or interest: Garbo movies really clutch me.

verb (used without object)

to try to seize or grasp (usually followed by at): He clutched at the fleeing child. She clutched at the opportunity.

Slang. to become tense with fright; panic (sometimes followed by up): I clutched up on the math exam.

to operate the clutch in a vehicle.

noun

the hand, claw, etc., when grasping.

Usually clutches . power of disposal or control; mastery: She fell into the clutches of the enemy.

the act of clutching; a snatch or grasp.

a tight grip or hold.

a device for gripping something.

Automotive, Machinery.

a mechanism for readily engaging or disengaging a shaft with or from another shaft or rotating part.Compare coupling (def. 2a).
a control, as a pedal, for operating this mechanism.

Sports. an extremely important or crucial moment of a game: He was famous for his coolness in pitching in the clutch.

any critical position or situation; emergency: She kept complete control in the clutch.

Also called clutch bag, clutch purse . a small purse that can be carried in the hand and usually has no handle or strap.

adjective

done or accomplished in a critical situation: a clutch shot that won the basketball game.

dependable in crucial situations: a clutch player.

(of a coat) without fasteners; held closed in front by one's hand or arm.

SYNONYMS FOR clutch

2 grasp, clasp, hold, clench; hug.

See synonyms for clutch on Thesaurus.com

QUIZZES

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Origin of clutch

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English clucchen, variant of clicchen, Old English clyccan “to clench”

synonym study for clutch

1. See catch.

OTHER WORDS FROM clutch

clutch·ing·ly, adverbclutch·y, adjective

Definition for clutch (2 of 2)

clutch²

[ kluhch ]

/ klʌtʃ /

noun

a hatch of eggs; the number of eggs produced or incubated at one time.

a brood of chickens.

a number of similar individuals: a clutch of books; a whole clutch of dancers.

verb (used with object)

to hatch (chickens).

Origin of clutch

First recorded in 1715–25; variant of cletch (now dialectal); akin to Scots cleck “to hatch,” from Old Norse klekja “to hatch”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for clutch

The Zero FXA standard-issue gas-powered motorcycle requires that its rider shift gears by pulling in the clutch with your left hand and changing gears with your left foot.
I rode an electric motorcycle for the first time. Here’s what I learned.|Rob Verger|December 10, 2020|Popular Science
In a time when a quick run to the grocery store for coffee filters isn’t always an option, this set’s filter-free design is particularly clutch.
The Most Coveted Gear of 2020, According to Our Editors|Will Taylor, Jeremy Rellosa, Ariella Gintzler, and Maren Larsen|December 9, 2020|Outside Online
That clutch production earned her the 2015 Honda Sports Award as the national player of the year.
The Mewis Sisters Are Playing Soccer Together Again. This Time, It’s At The Highest Level.|Jenn Hatfield|December 8, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Jairus Hamilton, a transfer from Boston College, hit a clutch three-pointer early in that late run, and junior guard Eric Ayala nailed one a minute later.
Maryland faces its first test against Mount St. Mary’s and passes with flying colors|Emily Giambalvo|November 29, 2020|Washington Post

The Terps never regained their composure even as they made a few clutch shots in the fourth quarter.
No. 12 Maryland women lose their way on defense in an 81-72 defeat to No. 24 Missouri State|Ava Wallace|November 29, 2020|Washington Post
That was accomplished by cops such as the one whose picture was clutched so tightly by his widow on Sunday.
Funeral Protest Is Too Much for NYPD Union Boss|Michael Daly|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As he entered the canyon, he clutched his chest and fell to the sidewalk.
Why Comedians Still Think Bill Cosby Is a Genius|Mark Whitaker|October 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Contestants, huddled on the couches of a communal room, clutched their faces in shock and some broke into sobs.
No One Told ‘Big Brother Israel’ About the War|Nina Strochlic|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I clutched my portfolio, and smiled as I looked at the window.
The Model Diaries: The Rush of Rejection in Paris|Anonymous|December 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She had afterward wondered aloud if perhaps somebody, maybe even Emily, had clutched Antonia during the final moments.
The First Funeral for Moore, Oklahoma|Michael Daly|May 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He caught them in the alleys of Lombard Street, and clutched them from the counting-houses of Cornhill.
Sybil|Benjamin Disraeli
She beat the water with her hands, and clutched at it, and tried to push it back.
Shadow, the Mysterious Detective|Police Captain Howard
Mr. Fletcher was violently impelled against George; to save a fall clutched him.
Once Aboard The Lugger|Arthur Stuart-Menteth Hutchinson
She simply sat, with staring eyes, and clutched the arms of her chair as though to keep from slipping into some dreadful abyss.
Dearest|Henry Beam Piper
She clutched the two ropes and held her legs out straight, so as not to touch the ground.
Original Short Stories, Volume 12 (of 13)|Guy de Maupassant

British Dictionary definitions for clutch (1 of 2)

clutch¹

/ (klʌtʃ) /

verb

(tr) to seize with or as if with hands or claws

(tr) to grasp or hold firmly

(intr usually foll by at) to attempt to get hold or possession (of)

noun

a device that enables two revolving shafts to be joined or disconnected as required, esp one that transmits the drive from the engine to the gearbox in a vehicle

a device for holding fast

a firm grasp

a hand, claw, or talon in the act of clutchingin the clutches of a bear

(often plural) power or controlin the clutches of the Mafia

Also called: clutch bag a handbag without handles

Word Origin for clutch

Old English clyccan; related to Old Frisian kletsie spear, Swedish klyka clasp, fork

British Dictionary definitions for clutch (2 of 2)

clutch²

/ (klʌtʃ) /

noun

a hatch of eggs laid by a particular bird or laid in a single nest

a brood of chickens

informal a group, bunch, or cluster

verb

(tr) to hatch (chickens)

Word Origin for clutch

C17 (Northern English dialect) cletch, from Old Norse klekja to hatch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with clutch

clutch

see grasp (clutch) at straws.

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clutch

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

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SYNONYMS FOR clutch

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Origin of clutch

synonym study for clutch

OTHER WORDS FROM clutch

Definition for clutch (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

Origin of clutch

Example sentences from the Web for clutch

British Dictionary definitions for clutch (1 of 2)

verb

noun

Word Origin for clutch

British Dictionary definitions for clutch (2 of 2)

noun

verb

Word Origin for clutch

Idioms and Phrases with clutch

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

clutch

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

adjective

SYNONYMS FOR clutch

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Origin of clutch

synonym study for clutch

OTHER WORDS FROM clutch

Definition for clutch (2 of 2)

noun

verb (used with object)

Origin of clutch

Words related to clutch

Example sentences from the Web for clutch

British Dictionary definitions for clutch (1 of 2)

verb

noun

Word Origin for clutch

British Dictionary definitions for clutch (2 of 2)

noun

verb

Word Origin for clutch

Idioms and Phrases with clutch