noun
Uncommon
grabbing
GRA-bihng
Grabbing (noun) means the act of seizing or snatching something. Example: “The toddler's constant grabbing of toys frustrated his older sister.”
noun
1
The act of seizing or snatching something.
"The toddler's constant grabbing of toys frustrated his older sister."
"The grabbing of free samples at the stall was getting out of hand."
"Her quick grabbing of the handrail stopped her from falling."
adjective
1
Greedy or overly eager to take things.
"He had a reputation as a grabbing, self-serving manager."
"Nobody liked the grabbing relative who took the biggest slice of cake."
"The grabbing salesman tried to take every last coin from customers."
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like grabbing.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- grabbings
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The toddler's constant _____ of toys frustrated his older sister.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for grabbing
See all rhymes for grabbing →Frequently asked questions
What does “grabbing” mean?
The word “grabbing” means the act of seizing or snatching something.
How do you pronounce “grabbing”?
“Grabbing” is pronounced GRA-bihng (/ˈɡɹæbɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “grabbing” in a sentence?
Here is “grabbing” used in a sentence: “The toddler's constant grabbing of toys frustrated his older sister.”
What part of speech is “grabbing”?
Depending on how it is used, “grabbing” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “grabbing” a common word?
“Grabbing” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “grabbing” have?
“Grabbing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of seizing or snatching something.
What is the difference between 'grabbing' as a noun and as an adjective?
As a noun, grabbing refers to the act of seizing or snatching something, as in "the grabbing of resources." As an adjective, grabbing describes a person's character, meaning greedy or overly eager to take things, as in "a grabbing landlord."
What is the difference between 'grabbing' and 'grasping' as adjectives?</question>
Both can describe someone greedy or overly eager to take things, and they are used almost interchangeably in this sense. "Grasping" is slightly more common and traditional in formal writing to criticize greed, while "grabbing" often has a more casual or blunt tone.
Is 'grabbing' used as the present participle of the verb 'grab'?
Yes, grabbing is the -ing form of the verb grab, used in continuous tenses such as "she is grabbing her keys." This grammatical use is distinct from its standalone noun and adjective senses, which describe the act or trait of seizing rather than an ongoing action.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include grabbing:
