reach
reech
Reach (verb) means to stretch out an arm or hand toward something in order to touch or grasp it. Example: “The toddler reached out and grabbed the biscuit from the plate.”
verb
1
To stretch out an arm or hand toward something in order to touch or grasp it.
"The toddler reached out and grabbed the biscuit from the plate."
"She reached for the top shelf but still couldn't quite reach it."
"He reached across the table to shake hands."
2
To arrive at a place, level, or point after travelling or making an effort.
"We should reach the village before it gets dark if we hurry."
"They finally reached the summit just before sunset."
"Sales reached a record high last quarter."
3
To make contact with someone, especially to communicate with them.
"You can reach me on my mobile if the meeting finishes early."
"The manager couldn't be reached because she was travelling abroad."
"I've been trying to reach you all day."
noun
1
The distance or extent that something, or someone's arm, can extend.
"Keep medicine well out of the reach of small children."
"The book was just out of his reach."
"The company expanded its reach into new markets."
How to use reach
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo stretch toward something, to arrive somewhere, or to get in contact with someone — also used as a noun for how far something extends.
Common pairings
within reach
reach an agreement
reach out
out of reach
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Word forms
- Plural
- reaches
- Third person singular
- reaches
- Past tense
- reached, raught, rought, retcht
- Archaic forms
- reachest, reachedst, raughtest, retchtest, reacheth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The toddler _____ out and grabbed the biscuit from the plate.
Etymology
From Old English rǣċan ("to reach, to stretch out"), a very old Germanic verb related to Dutch reiken and German reichen.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for reach
See all rhymes for reach →Frequently asked questions
What does “reach” mean?
The word “reach” means to stretch out an arm or hand toward something in order to touch or grasp it. In plain terms, to stretch toward something, to arrive somewhere, or to get in contact with someone — also used as a noun for how far something extends.
How do you pronounce “reach”?
“Reach” is pronounced reech (/ɹiːt͡ʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “reach” in a sentence?
Here is “reach” used in a sentence: “She reached for the top shelf but still couldn't quite reach it.”
What part of speech is “reach”?
Depending on how it is used, “reach” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “reach” come from?
The word “reach” comes from Old English. From Old English rǣċan ("to reach, to stretch out"), a very old Germanic verb related to Dutch reiken and German reichen.
Is “reach” a common word?
“Reach” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “reach” have?
“Reach” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to stretch out an arm or hand toward something in order to touch or grasp it.
What is the difference between reach and grab?
Reaching is the act of stretching out your arm or hand toward something, often before contact is made. Grabbing is closing your hand firmly around an object to hold it. You typically reach first and grab second, so reaching describes the motion toward, while grabbing describes the taking hold.
Does 'reach' only mean stretching out your hand?
No. While its core physical sense is stretching an arm toward something, 'reach' has many other everyday meanings: to arrive at a place ('reach London'), to make contact ('reach me by phone'), or to attain a level ('reach a goal'). Context makes the intended meaning clear.
What is an example of reaching for something?
Imagine standing in a kitchen and stretching your arm up toward a mug on a high shelf — that motion is reaching. Other examples include reaching across a table for the salt, or a child reaching out to be picked up. The hallmark is extending the hand toward a target.
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