nab

[ nab ]

/ næb /

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See synonyms for nab on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), nabbed, nab·bing.Informal.

to arrest or capture.

to catch or seize, especially suddenly.

to snatch or steal.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of nab

1675–85; earlier nap; perhaps <Scandinavian; compare Danish nappe,Norwegian, Swedish nappa to snatch

OTHER WORDS FROM nab

nabber, noun

Words nearby nab

NAA, NAACP, Naafi, naan, naartjie, nab, Nabal, Nabataea, Nabataean, nabe, Naberezhnye Chelny

Other definitions for nab (2 of 2)

NAB

Also N.A.B. National Association of Broadcasters.

New American Bible.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use nab in a sentence

By a large margin, it's the youngest women they believe they can plausibly nab.
Heartache by the Numbers and OkCupid’s Founder Has Got Yours|Will Doig|October 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It took British authorities years to nab Altaf Hussain, the infamous Pakistani cult/party leader.
Altaf Hussain Finally Arrested in London; Can His MQM Be Neutralized?|Bruce Riedel|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This is not the first time the site has been willing to dole out big bucks to nab public figures.
YouPorn’s French Publicity Stunt|Gideon Resnick|February 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I know how hard it is to even try and nab Bill for an interview—going through his lawyer, etc.—so how did you corral him?
Sofia Coppola Discusses ‘Lost in Translation’ on Its 10th Anniversary|Marlow Stern|September 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST

There were plenty of armed and uniformed posse members helping out or looking for unauthorized immigrants to nab.
Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio to Send Armed Posses to Protect Schools|Terry Greene Sterling|January 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The day is one that will long be remembered by those who took part in the trips round the Nab.
Yachting Vol. 2|Various.
When you nab them, you feel as if they hadn't a fair show; it hardly seems a sporting proposition.
The Winning Clue|James Hay, Jr.
One knows these gentlemen the Parisian police: how they cry a wolf and then go out and nab some stray puppy in the street.
Where the Pavement Ends|John Russell
Down below, Nab runs out a bare black arm into the sea, which even in the calmest weather angrily foams along the windward side.
Yorkshire Painted And Described|Gordon Home
Judging it correctly, he turned his back and ran; then, whirling about just in time, put up a single hand to nab the ball.
Mystery Wings|Roy J. Snell

British Dictionary definitions for nab

nab

/ (næb) /

verb nabs, nabbing or nabbed (tr) informal

to arrest

to catch (someone) in wrongdoing

to seize suddenly; snatch

Word Origin for nab

C17: perhaps of Scandinavian origin; compare Danish nappe, Swedish nappa to snatch. See kidnap

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