Dictionary

1snatch

verb \ˈsnach\

: to take (something) quickly or eagerly

: to take (something or someone) suddenly from a person or place often by using force

Full Definition of SNATCH

intransitive verb
:  to attempt to seize something suddenly
transitive verb
:  to take or grasp abruptly or hastily <snatch up a pen> <snatched the first opportunity>; also :  to seize or take suddenly without permission, ceremony, or right <snatched a kiss>
snatch·er noun

Origin of SNATCH

Middle English snacchen to snap, seize; akin to Middle Dutch snacken to snap at
First Known Use: 13th century

Synonym Discussion of SNATCH

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>.

2snatch

noun

Full Definition of SNATCH

1
a :  a brief period <caught snatches of sleep>
b :  a brief, fragmentary, or hurried part :  bit <caught snatches of the conversation>
2
a :  a snatching at or of something
b slang :  an act or instance of kidnapping
3
:  a lift in weight lifting in which the weight is raised from the floor directly to an overhead position in a single motion — compare clean and jerk, press
4
usually vulgar :  the female pudenda

First Known Use of SNATCH

1563

Related to SNATCH

SNATCH Defined for Kids

1snatch

verb \ˈsnach\
snatchedsnatch·ing

Definition of SNATCH for Kids

:  to take hold of or try to take hold of something quickly or suddenly <… he snatched up his towel. “I'm leaving,” he called down the beach. — Virginia Hamilton, M. C. Higgins>

2snatch

noun

Definition of SNATCH for Kids

1
:  something brief, hurried, or in small bits <snatches of old songs>
2
:  an act of taking hold of something quickly
3
:  a brief period <I slept in snatches.>

Browse

7 ENTRIES FOUND:
Next Word in the Dictionary: snatchablePrevious Word in the Dictionary: snasteAll Words Near: snatch
ADVERTISEMENT
How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.
Test your vocab with our fun, fast game
Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears