grasp

American  

[grasp, grahsp] / græsp, grɑsp /

verb (used with object)

1. to seize and hold by or as if by clasping with the fingers or arms.

   Synonyms:

   grab, clutch, clutch, grip

   Antonyms:

   release

2. to seize upon; hold firmly.

3. to get hold of mentally; comprehend; understand.

   I don't grasp your meaning.

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verb (used without object)

1. to make an attempt to seize, or a motion of seizing, something (usually followed by at orfor ).

   a drowning man grasping at straws; to grasp for an enemy's rifle.

noun

1. the act of grasping or gripping, as with the hands or arms.

   to make a grasp at something.

2. a hold or grip.

   to have a firm grasp of a rope.

3. one's arms or hands, in embracing or gripping.

   He took her in his grasp.

4. one's power of seizing and holding; reach.

   to have a thing within one's grasp.

5. hold, possession, or mastery.

   to wrest power from the grasp of a usurper.

   Synonyms:

   clutches

6. mental hold or capacity; power to understand.

   Synonyms:

   comprehension, apprehension, understanding

7. broad or thorough comprehension.

   a good grasp of computer programming.

grasp British  

/ ɡrɑːsp /

verb

1. to grip (something) firmly with or as if with the hands

2. to struggle, snatch, or grope (for)

3. (tr) to understand, esp with effort

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noun

1. the act of grasping

2. a grip or clasp, as of a hand

3. the capacity to accomplish (esp in the phrase within one's grasp )

4. total rule or possession

5. understanding; comprehension

grasp Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing grasp

• get a fix on (grasp of)

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Related Words

See catch. Grasp, reach refer to the power of seizing, either concretely or figuratively. Grasp suggests actually seizing and closing the hand upon something (or, figuratively, thoroughly comprehending something) and therefore refers to what is within one's possession or immediate possibility of possession: a good grasp of a problem; immense mental grasp. Reach suggests a stretching out of (usually) the hand to touch, strike, or, if possible, seize something; it therefore refers to a potentiality of possession that requires an effort. Figuratively, it implies perhaps a faint conception of something still too far beyond one to be definitely and clearly understood.

Other Word Forms

• graspable adjective
• grasper noun
• graspless adjective
• regrasp verb (used with object)
• ungraspable adjective
• ungrasped adjective

Etymology

Origin of grasp

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English graspen, grapsen; cognate with Low German grapsen; akin to Old English gegræppian “to seize” ( grapple )

Explanation

To grasp is to get a hold of something, literally or figuratively. Grasp the grammar textbook with both hands and then read it to grasp the rules of the English language. It makes sense that the word grasp means understanding a concept since you are "getting a hold of an idea" just as you would grasp something tangible to hold. Grasp is good for when you're talking about comprehending the scale of something, or the full picture of a multi-faceted problem or idea. You might know that there is going to be a heat wave, but you may not grasp the idea of its relationship to global warming.

Example Sentences

Financial markets didn’t fully grasp the severity of the constraints in the physical flow of oil, said Chevron CEO Mike Wirth at an energy conference in Houston last month.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

But bots often fail to grasp basic facts, such as insisting that the ratio 1:100 simplifies to 1:25.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2026

What’s much more difficult to grasp, even for those of us now alive, is how we wound up in a world where that might happen.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

While losing at home has made things that much tougher, with just one goal in it, United still head to Munich believing a first Champions League semi-final is within their grasp.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

“Whatever,” Jonah said, jerking his arm away from Katherine’s grasp.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• accept
• appreciate
• comprehend
• fathom
• perceive
• pick up
• realize