nab

[ nab ]

/ næb /

SEE MORE 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.

Nearby words

Origin of nab

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

Related formsnab·ber, noun

Definition 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. 2019

Examples from the Web for nab

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

Police hope to catch the attacker by using the same science that allowed them to nab the suspected ‘Grim Sleeper’ serial killer.
Hunt for L.A.’s ‘Teardrop Rapist’ May Hinge on Familial DNA Testing|Christine Pelisek|June 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
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
Then well not only be able to rescue the young ladies, but the Mexican authorities will nab the plotters.
The Blue Grass Seminary Girls on the Water|Carolyn Judson Burnett
But Blent was a crafty old party and did not easily give up the pursuit of the young fellow he had come to the island to nab.
Ruth Fielding on Cliff Island|Alice Emerson
The reception of this letter proved an agreeable incident of an otherwise rather dull Sunday evening at Nab Grange.
Helena's Path|Anthony Hope
This cad means business, and if he's up to the old game, why, the sooner I nab him the better.
King of Ranleigh|F. S. (Frederick Sadlier) Brereton

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

Word Origin and History for nab

nab

"to catch (someone)," 1680s, probably a variant of dialectal nap "to seize, catch, lay hold of" (1670s, now surviving only in kidnap), which possibly is from Scandinavian (cf. Norwegian nappe, Swedish nappa "to catch, snatch;" Danish nappe "to pinch, pull"); reinforced by Middle English napand "grasping, greedy." Related: Nabbed; nabbing.

nab