Grab

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Grab

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun and verb

Pronunciation

grab  /ɡræb/

Definition

As a verb: to seize suddenly and roughly; to take or get quickly and opportunistically; to attract attention forcefully. As a noun: a sudden seizing; an opportunistic or greedy acquisition.

Plain meaning

To grab means to seize something quickly and often forcefully — snatching it before someone else can, or taking the opportunity before it passes. As a noun, a grab is the act of seizing or an opportunistic acquisition.

Register

Informal in most uses. Grab is a vivid, energetic verb that is more informal than seize, snatch, or appropriate. It is natural in everyday speech for quick, energetic actions. In more formal writing, seize or take would typically replace grab.