grip
GRIHP
Grip (verb) means to take hold of something firmly, especially with the hand. Example: “The toddler gripped her mother's finger as they crossed the busy road.”
verb
1
To take hold of something firmly, especially with the hand.
"The toddler gripped her mother's finger as they crossed the busy road."
"She gripped the steering wheel tightly during the storm."
"He gripped the rope as he climbed."
2
To hold someone's attention or emotions powerfully.
"The mystery novel gripped me so completely that I read all night."
"Fear gripped the crowd as the lights suddenly went out."
"The film gripped audiences from the very first scene."
noun
1
A firm hold, or the strength of one's hold on something.
"Climbers need a good grip on the rock to stay safe."
"Her grip on the railing tightened as the ferry rocked."
"He had a strong grip when they shook hands."
How to use grip
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hold something tightly, or the tightness/strength of a hold — also used figuratively for something that fully captures your attention.
Common pairings
a firm grip
grip the wheel
grip someone's attention
lose your grip
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Word forms
- Plural
- grips
- Third person singular
- grips
- Past tense
- gripped
Fill the gap
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Climbers need a good _____ on the rock to stay safe.
Etymology
From Old English gripan, related to "gripe," both tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to grab or grasp."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for grip
See all rhymes for grip →Frequently asked questions
What does “grip” mean?
The word “grip” means to take hold of something firmly, especially with the hand. In plain terms, to hold something tightly, or the tightness/strength of a hold — also used figuratively for something that fully captures your attention.
How do you pronounce “grip”?
“Grip” is pronounced GRIHP (/ˈɡɹɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “grip” in a sentence?
Here is “grip” used in a sentence: “She gripped the steering wheel tightly during the storm.”
What is another word for “grip”?
Words with a similar meaning to “grip” include grasp.
What part of speech is “grip”?
Depending on how it is used, “grip” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “grip” come from?
The word “grip” comes from Old English. From Old English gripan, related to "gripe," both tracing back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to grab or grasp.".
Is “grip” a common word?
“Grip” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “grip” have?
“Grip” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to take hold of something firmly, especially with the hand.
What is the difference between "grip" and "grasp"?
Both mean to take hold of something firmly, but "grip" stresses a tight, sustained hold, while "grasp" emphasises the act of seizing or getting hold of something. "Grasp" also has a common figurative sense of understanding an idea, which "grip" does not share.
What is the difference between "grip" and "hold"?
To "grip" is to take hold of something firmly, especially with the hand, implying tightness and force. To "hold" is more general and can be gentle, simply keeping something in your hand or arms.
When do you use "grip" to mean hold attention?
Use "grip" figuratively when something holds someone's attention or emotions powerfully, as in "the film gripped the audience." A "gripping" story is one so absorbing that you cannot look away.
What is the past tense of "grip"?
"Grip" is a regular verb, so its past tense and past participle are both "gripped," as in "he gripped the railing." The present participle is "gripping."
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