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

He honed a pinpoint midrange jump shot and studied opposing offenses to know exactly where to grab steals.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

An Australian man who jumped over a barricade and grabbed Hollywood star Ariana Grande has been deported and banned from Singapore.

Read more on BBC

She'll either make them at home with collagen she's bought online or grab an iced coffee or flat white with collagen or protein from a coffee shop near where she lives in London.

Read more on BBC

A flying Rees-Zammit, back in red after his failed foray into the NFL, produced a stunning finish for a late consolation try before Clarke grabbed his second to take New Zealand past 50 points.

Read more on Barron's

Or because of an ever-growing pile of reports from different think tanks or research groups making helpful suggestions that have grabbed headlines too.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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