grope

American  

[grohp] / groʊp /

verb (used without object)

groped, groping

1. to feel about with the hands; feel one's way.

   I had to grope around in the darkness before I found the light switch.

   Synonyms:

   fish, probe, fumble

2. to search blindly or uncertainly.

   He seemed to be groping for an answer to the question.

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verb (used with object)

groped, groping

1. to seek by or as if by groping.

   to grope one's way up the dark stairs.

2. Slang. to touch or fondle (someone) for sexual pleasure, especially without the person’s consent.

noun

1. an act or instance of groping.

2. Slang. an act or instance of sexually fondling another person.

grope British  

/ ɡrəʊp /

verb

1. to feel or search about uncertainly (for something) with the hands

2. (intr; usually foll by for or after) to search uncertainly or with difficulty (for a solution, answer, etc)

3. (tr) to find or make (one's way) by groping

4. slang (tr) to feel or fondle the body of (someone) for sexual gratification

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noun

1. the act of groping

Other Word Forms

• gropingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of grope

Before 900; Middle English gropien, Old English grāpian, derivative of grāp “grasp”; akin to gripe, grasp

Example Sentences

Clare went to adjust his monocle but groped foolishly at the empty space in front of his eye socket.

From Literature

At the same time they groped for a way to put their passion for ballet to temporary use.

From Los Angeles Times

I groped back to the cot and huddled there in the dark, setting my teeth against the stink of the bedding, wrapping my coat tighter about me.

From Literature

I groped my way through the kitchen to the living room with the dark wall paneling.

From Literature

Vandier said AI is turning military intelligence analysis from a task of groping in darkness for targets to one of sifting through piles of them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• cast about
• flounder