Synonyms

nab

¹ American

[nab] / næb /

verb (used with object)

Informal.

nabbed, nabbing

to arrest or capture.
to catch or seize, especially suddenly.
to snatch or steal.

NAB ² American

Also N.A.B. National Association of Broadcasters.
New American Bible.

nab British

/ næb /

verb

to arrest
to catch (someone) in wrongdoing
to seize suddenly; snatch

"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

Other Word Forms

nabber noun

Etymology

Origin of nab

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Her constituents think it's her seat, but she admits: "It's only my seat because I'm there early enough to nab it."

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

Department of Transportation has deployed such cameras to nab motorists who park in bus lanes.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 1, 2026

Join membership clubs to nab the best hotel or group tour deal.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 15, 2026

Anta’s longstanding relationships with landlords helped Arc’teryx nab prime real estate for its shops.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025

Kaz had given Inej two objectives: nab a big enough diamond for Jesper to work with and get herself into this corridor after eleven bells.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023