WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
grab•ber
(grab′ər),USA pronunciation n.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026- a person or thing that grabs.
- Slang Termssomething attention-getting or sensational.
- grab1 + -er1 1840–50
grab1 /græb/USA pronunciation
v., grabbed, grab•bing, n.
v.
n. [countable]
grab•ber, n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026v.
- to seize suddenly, eagerly, or roughly;
snatch: [~ + object]He grabbed his hat and dashed off.[~ + at + object]She grabbed at the railing. - to take possession of (something) illegally:[~ + object]to grab land.
- to obtain and consume quickly:[~ + object]Let's grab a sandwich.
- Slang Terms[Informal.]to arouse the interest or excitement of:[~ + object]How does my idea grab you?
- [no object] (of brakes, a clutch, etc.) to take hold suddenly or with a jolting motion.
n. [countable]
- a sudden, eager grasp or snatch:I made a grab for my hat.
- seizure or takeover by violent, illegal, or dishonest means:land grabs.
- [be + ~]
- Idioms up for grabs, available for anyone to take, use, or buy.
grab•ber, n. [countable]
grab1
(grab),USA pronunciation v., grabbed, grab•bing, n.
v.t.
v.i.
n.
grab′ba•ble, adj.
grab2 (grab),USA pronunciation n.
v.t.
- to seize suddenly or quickly;
snatch;
clutch:He grabbed me by the collar. - to take illegal possession of;
seize forcibly or unscrupulously:to grab land. - to obtain and consume quickly:Let's grab a sandwich before going to the movie.
- Slang Terms
- to cause a reaction in;
affect:How does my idea grab you? - to arouse the interest or excitement of:The book was O.K., but it just didn't grab me.
- to cause a reaction in;
v.i.
- to make a grasping or clutching motion (usually fol. by at):He grabbed frantically at the life preserver.
- (of brakes, a clutch, etc.) to take hold suddenly or with a jolting motion;
bind.
n.
- a sudden, quick grasp or snatch:to make a grab at something.
- seizure or acquisition by violent or unscrupulous means.
- something that is grabbed.
- a mechanical device for gripping objects.
- the capacity to hold or adhere:The glue was so old it had lost its grab.
- Idioms up for grabs, [Informal.]available to anyone willing to expend the energy to get it:The Republican nomination for mayor was up for grabs.
- cognate with Middle Dutch, Middle Low German grabben, Swedish grabba 1580–90
- 1. grasp, grip, catch.
grab2 (grab),USA pronunciation n.
- an Oriental ship having two or three masts with a square rig.
- Arabic ghurāb literally, raven
- 1670–80
'grabber' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):