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WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026clutch1 /klʌtʃ/USA pronunciation
v.
- to seize with or as if with the hands;
hold tightly:[~ + object]The little girl clutched her doll tightly.
- clutch at, [~ + object]
- to try to grasp or hold:She clutched at my hand as I turned away.
- to try to use, esp. in a desperate way and when all else fails:I clutched at any excuse I could think of.
- Automotive to operate the clutch in a vehicle:[no object]He clutched carefully and pulled out smoothly.
n. [countable]
- Often, clutches. [plural] power or control, esp. when escape is impossible: fell into the clutches of the enemy.
- a tight grip or hold:Her clutch was strong on my arm.
- Automotive, Mechanical Engineering
- a mechanism for connecting or disconnecting a shaft that drives a mechanism, such as in a car to shift gears:The clutch isn't working properly.
- , Mechanical Engineeringa pedal or other control for operating this:He pushed in the clutch and released it.
adj. [before a noun]
- done in a critical situation: a clutch shot that won the game.
- dependable in crucial situations: a clutch player.
clutch2 /klʌtʃ/USA pronunciation
n. [countable]
- Birdsthe number of eggs produced at one time:a clutch of only three eggs.
- a number of similar things.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026clutch1
(kluch),USA pronunciation v.t.
- to seize with or as with the hands or claws;
snatch:The bird swooped down and clutched its prey with its claws.
- to grip or hold tightly or firmly:She clutched the child's hand as they crossed the street.
- Slang Termsto spellbind;
grip a person's emotions, attention, or interest:Garbo movies really clutch me.
v.i.
- to try to seize or grasp (usually fol. by at):He clutched at the fleeing child. She clutched at the opportunity.
- Slang Termsto become tense with fright;
panic (sometimes fol. by up):I clutched up on the math exam.
- Automotiveto operate the clutch in a vehicle.
n.
- the hand, claw, etc., when grasping.
- Usually, clutches. power of disposal or control;
mastery:She fell into the clutches of the enemy.
- the act of clutching;
a snatch or grasp.
- a tight grip or hold.
- a device for gripping something.
- Automotive, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automotive
- a mechanism for readily engaging or disengaging a shaft with or from another shaft or rotating part. Cf. coupling (def. 2a).
- a control, as a pedal, for operating this mechanism.
- Sportan extremely important or crucial moment of a game:He was famous for his coolness in pitching in the clutch.
- any critical position or situation;
emergency:She kept complete control in the clutch.
- Also called clutch bag, clutch purse. a woman's small purse that can be carried in the hand and usually has no handle or strap.
adj.
- done or accomplished in a critical situation:a clutch shot that won the basketball game.
- dependable in crucial situations:a clutch player.
- (of a coat) without fasteners;
held closed in front by one's hand or arm.
- Middle English clucchen, variant of clicchen, Old English clyccan to clench 1175–1225
1. See catch. 2. clench, squeeze, hug.
clutch2
(kluch),USA pronunciation n.
- Birdsa hatch of eggs;
the number of eggs produced or incubated at one time.
- Birdsa brood of chickens.
- a number of similar individuals:a clutch of books; a whole clutch of dancers.
v.t.
- to hatch (chickens).
- Old Norse klekja to hatch
- 1715–25; variant of cletch (now dialect, dialectal); akin to Scots cleck to hatch
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
clutch /klʌtʃ/ vb - (transitive) to seize with or as if with hands or claws
- (transitive) to grasp or hold firmly
- (intransitive) usually followed by at: to attempt to get hold or possession (of)
n - a device that enables two revolving shafts to be joined or disconnected as required, esp one that transmits the drive from the engine to the gearbox in a vehicle
- a device for holding fast
- a firm grasp
- a hand, claw, or talon in the act of clutching: in the clutches of a bear
- (often plural) power or control: in the clutches of a criminal cartel
Etymology: Old English clyccan; related to Old Frisian kletsie spear, Swedish klyka clasp, fork clutch /klʌtʃ/ n - a hatch of eggs laid by a particular bird or laid in a single nest
- a brood of chickens
- informal a group, bunch, or cluster
vb - (transitive) to hatch (chickens)
Etymology: 17th Century (Northern English dialect) cletch, from Old Norse klekja to hatch
'clutch' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
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