grab
GRAB
Grab (verb) means to take hold of something suddenly and firmly. Example: “He grabbed his coat and ran out the door.”
verb
1
To take hold of something suddenly and firmly.
"He grabbed his coat and ran out the door."
"She grabbed the railing to keep from falling."
"The toddler grabbed my finger and would not let go."
2
To quickly get or take something, often in passing.
"Let's grab some coffee before the meeting."
"I will grab a sandwich on my way to the station."
"Can you grab the post while you are passing the front door?"
3
To strongly capture someone's attention or interest.
"The opening scene really grabs the audience."
"A bold headline will grab readers before they have scrolled past it."
"The shop window display grabbed my attention straight away."
noun
1
A sudden attempt to seize or take something.
"He made a grab for the last seat on the train."
"The thief made a quick grab for the bag, but the owner held on."
"There was a mad grab for the free T-shirts at the end of the show."
How to use grab
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo seize something suddenly, or more loosely, to quickly get or fetch something.
Common pairings
grab a bite
grab attention
up for grabs
make a grab for
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Word forms
- Plural
- grabs
- Third person singular
- grabs
- Past tense
- grabbed
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Etymology
From Middle Dutch grabben, "to seize or snatch", tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to gather" or "to seize".
Related words
Rhymes for grab
See all rhymes for grab →Frequently asked questions
What does “grab” mean?
The word “grab” means to take hold of something suddenly and firmly. In plain terms, to seize something suddenly, or more loosely, to quickly get or fetch something.
How do you pronounce “grab”?
“Grab” is pronounced GRAB (/ˈɡɹæb/ in IPA).
How do you use “grab” in a sentence?
Here is “grab” used in a sentence: “He grabbed his coat and ran out the door.”
What is another word for “grab”?
Words with a similar meaning to “grab” include catch, clutch, grasp, seize and snatch.
What part of speech is “grab”?
Depending on how it is used, “grab” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “grab” come from?
The word “grab” comes from Dutch. From Middle Dutch grabben, "to seize or snatch", tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to gather" or "to seize".
Is “grab” a common word?
“Grab” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “grab” have?
“Grab” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to take hold of something suddenly and firmly.
What is the difference between grab and hold?
To grab is to take hold suddenly and firmly, an active, often quick movement — grabbing a falling glass. To hold is to keep something in your grasp once you have it, a steadier, ongoing action. Grab starts the contact; hold continues it. One is the seizing, the other the keeping.
What is an example of grab?
You might grab a railing to steady yourself, grab your keys on the way out, or grab someone's arm to get their attention. Informally, you can grab a coffee or grab a seat. In each case, grab suggests taking hold quickly and decisively rather than slowly.
Can "grab" be used informally?
Yes. Beyond physically seizing something, grab is common in casual speech meaning to get quickly — grab a bite, grab a drink, grab some sleep. It can also mean to seize an opportunity or catch attention, as in "the headline grabs you." These relaxed uses are everyday English.
What is the opposite of grab?
The opposite is to release, let go, or drop — to stop holding something. Where grab means to seize suddenly, these words mean to loosen your grip. Other contrasts include offer or hand over, which involve giving something rather than snatching it for yourself.
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