First Known Use: circa 1581
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
See grab defined for English-language learners
See grab defined for kids
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Origin of GRAB
obsolete Dutch or Low German grabben
Related to GRAB
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>.
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
2
— up for grabs
: available for anyone to take, win, or settle
See grab defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of GRAB
1777
GRABBING 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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