verb

clutch

KLUHCH

verb

To grip or hold onto something tightly.

"She clutched her bag as the train jolted forward."

"He clutched his chest in pain."

noun

The pedal or mechanism in a vehicle that disengages the engine from the wheels while changing gear.

"He pressed the clutch before shifting into second gear."

A small handbag without straps, carried in the hand.

"She matched her dress with a gold clutch."

adj

Performing well under pressure, especially in sport (informal, chiefly US).

"He's known as a clutch player who scores in the final minutes."

How to Use Clutch

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo grip something tightly; also a car part, a type of small handbag, or (informally) reliable under pressure.

Common mistake

The car "clutch" and the handbag "clutch" are completely different senses of the same word — context makes the meaning obvious.

Common pairings

clutch at press the clutch a clutch bag a clutch performance

Word Forms

more clutch comparative, clutched past tense, clutched past tense, clutches plural, clutches plural, clutches singular, clutches singular, most clutch superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She _____ her bag as the train jolted forward.

Etymology

From Old English clyċċan, "to clutch or clench", related to a very old root meaning to ball up or amass.

Rhymes for clutch

tch etch itch Dutch catch batch pitch watch witch hutch hatch ditch

See all rhymes for clutch →