snatch
Americanverb (used without object)
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snatches,
present (3rd person singular)
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snatched,
past participle, past
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snatching
present participle
verb (used with object)
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snatches,
present (3rd person singular)
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snatched,
past participle, past
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snatching
present participle
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to seize by a sudden or hasty grasp.
He snatched the old lady's purse and ran.
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to take, get, secure, etc., suddenly or hastily.
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to rescue or save by prompt action.
He snatched the baby from the fire.
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Slang. to kidnap.
noun
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snatches
plural
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the act or an instance of snatching.
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a sudden motion to seize something; grab.
He made a snatch as if to stop her.
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a bit, scrap, or fragment of something.
snatches of conversation.
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a brief spell of effort, activity, or any experience.
to work in snatches.
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Nautical. a sheave or projecting member serving as a fairlead.
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a brief period of time.
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Slang. an act of kidnapping.
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Slang: Vulgar. vulva; vagina.
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Weightlifting. a lift in which the barbell is brought in a single motion from the floor to an arms-extended position overhead.
verb
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(tr) to seize or grasp (something) suddenly or peremptorily
he snatched the chocolate out of my hand
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to seize or attempt to seize suddenly
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(tr) to take hurriedly
to snatch some sleep
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(tr) to remove suddenly
she snatched her hand away
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(tr) to gain, win, or rescue, esp narrowly
they snatched victory in the closing seconds
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(tr) (in weightlifting) to lift (a weight) with a snatch
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informal to leave a job, taking whatever pay is due
noun
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an act of snatching
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a fragment or small incomplete part
snatches of conversation
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a brief spell
snatches of time off
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weightlifting a lift in which the weight is raised in one quick motion from the floor to an overhead position
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slang an act of kidnapping
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slang a robbery
a diamond snatch
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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snatchernoun
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outsnatchverb (used with object)
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snatchableadjective
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unsnatchedadjective
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snatchinglyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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snatchsimple
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snatchessimple
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have snatchedperfect
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has snatchedperfect
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am snatchingprogressive
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are snatchingprogressive
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is snatchingprogressive
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have been snatchingperfect progressive
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has been snatchingperfect progressive
Past
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snatchedsimple
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had snatchedperfect
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was snatchingprogressive
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were snatchingprogressive
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had been snatchingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of snatch
1175–1225; Middle English snacche (noun), snacchen (v.) < ?; cognate with Middle Dutch snacken
Explanation
When you snatch something, you grab it — either literally or figuratively. You might eagerly snatch the TV remote or your best friend's idea. Snatching can be nasty. You might snatch a lost balloon before it gets away, or snatch your cat before he can escape the room. The verb snatch can also be used in a figurative way, like when you snatch the first job offer that comes your way after graduating from college. The origin is most likely the Middle English word snacche, which means "to suddenly snap at," or in its noun form, "a trap."
Vocabulary lists containing snatch
"Thank You, M'am"
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Similes from Top AP English Exam Novels
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Because of Winn-Dixie
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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.
See Examples For:
Having a bird swoop down to snatch food from your hand is one of the most intimate interactions we can have with wildlife.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 24, 2026
But Count Binface, who dresses with a grey dustbin over his head wearing a cape and silver armour, could snatch a fifth of the votes, according to a Survation poll.
From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026
The two Billys almost snatch the movie from under its lead.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
The New York Knicks overcame a 14-point third-quarter deficit to snatch a 105-95 victory at the San Antonio Spurs in the opening game of the NBA Finals.
From BBC ● Jun. 4, 2026
Second batter pops a gorgeous fly ball, but Noelle manages to snatch it out of the air in deep right field.
From "Fast Pitch" by Nic Stone
They included bricks that would play snatches of the iconic theme song and emit coin-collecting sound effects as Mario characters moved around.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 18, 2026
“My future life would flow out of this crucial choice because, once I had this precious instrument in my hands, I started scratching out three chords over which I sang snatches of my own melodies.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 12, 2024
The gloomy visuals are complemented by snatches of ambient techno and a dull humming sound that conjures a sense of anticipatory dread.
From New York Times ● May 24, 2024
Kenza Dali snatches the ball off of Kathrine Kuhl, but she knocks the ball down the line and can't find any of her teammates.
From BBC ● Mar. 15, 2024
The biggest cheer of all goes to a yellow cat, which streaks onto the field, snatches a wounded bird and streaks off into the trees.
From "Wringer" by Jerry Spinelli
Questions about his age and passing ability may have led teams to skip King during the draft in April, but the Panthers snatched him up in free agency immediately afterward.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
When freedom was snatched away, Elizabeth Turner’s mother fought back, and changed the Constitution.
From Slate ● Jul. 25, 2026
All of items, sold individually, were snatched up by Wednesday within 24 hours of sales starting: water bottle caps, ring pop candy, police caution tape, straws, utensils -- as well as a single left AirPod.
From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026
He snatched up two cheap contracts for $240 in total and has already cashed out one of those contracts for $320.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
Father Finnegan snatched up the book in his calloused fist.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
Worse than that, coming in the wake of Operations Epic Fury and Midnight Hammer, have we ever seen a better example of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026
The officer invoked this exception against Lau, snatching his green card and “paroling” him into the country.
From Slate ● Jun. 23, 2026
Anthropic, in particular, has been making high-profile hires, often snatching talent directly from the application-software companies that it’s disrupting.
From MarketWatch ● May 9, 2026
He spent the next decade receiving similar recognition, even snatching up a best rap performance Grammy Award for his work on “King’s Dead” in 2018.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 13, 2026
When at last Father closed the big volume, she, Willem, and Betsie were on their feet in an instant and snatching up their hats.
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
