Dictionary

1grab

verb \ˈgrab\

: to quickly take and hold (someone or something) with your hand or arms

: to take or get (something) in a quick and informal way

: to get the attention or interest of (someone or something)

grabbedgrab·bing

Full Definition of GRAB

transitive verb
1
:  to take or seize by or as if by a sudden motion or grasp <grab up an ax> <grabbed the opportunity> <grab attention>
2
:  to obtain unscrupulously <grab public lands>
3
:  to take hastily <grab a bite to eat> <grab a cab>
4
a :  to seize the attention of <the technique of grabbing an audience — Pauline Kael>
b :  to impress favorably and deeply
intransitive verb
:  to make a grab
grab·ber noun
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Origin of GRAB

obsolete Dutch or Low German grabben
First Known Use: circa 1581

Synonym Discussion of GRAB

take, seize, grasp, clutch, snatch, grab mean to get hold of by or as if by catching up with the hand. take is a general term applicable to any manner of getting something into one's possession or control <take some salad from the bowl>. seize implies a sudden and forcible movement in getting hold of something tangible or an apprehending of something fleeting or elusive when intangible <seized the suspect>. grasp stresses a laying hold so as to have firmly in possession <grasp the handle and pull>. clutch suggests avidity or anxiety in seizing or grasping and may imply less success in holding <clutching her purse>. snatch suggests more suddenness or quickness but less force than seize <snatched a doughnut and ran>. grab implies more roughness or rudeness than snatch <grabbed roughly by the arm>.

Rhymes with GRAB

2grab

adjective

Definition of GRAB

1
:  intended to be grabbed <a grab rail>
2
:  taken at random <grab samples of rocks>

First Known Use of GRAB

1608

3grab

noun

: a quick attempt to take or get something

: the act of taking something in a forceful or illegal way

Full Definition of GRAB

1
a :  something grabbed
b :  a sudden snatch
c :  an unlawful or unscrupulous seizure
2
chiefly British
a :  a device for clutching an object
b :  clamshell 2a
up for grabs
:  available for anyone to take, win, or settle

First Known Use of GRAB

1777
GRAB Defined for Kids

1grab

verb \ˈgrab\
grabbedgrab·bing

Definition of GRAB for Kids

:  to grasp or seize suddenly

2grab

noun

Definition of GRAB for Kids

:  a sudden attempt to grasp or seize

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