ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grab

v. · n.
US //ˈɡɹæb// UK //ɡɹˈæb// grab
  1. 1 to seize suddenly (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to take hold of something or someone suddenly and with force.

    to seize or grasp something suddenly, often with a degree of force or urgency.

    Example

    He had to grab the railing to keep from falling on the stairs.

    Example

    The child reached out to grab his mother's hand as the crowd began to surge toward the station entrance.
  2. 2 to get quickly (v.)
    A2 Elementary Informal

    to get, buy, or take something quickly because you are in a hurry.

    to obtain or retrieve something in a hurried or informal manner.

    Example

    I need to grab my coat from the car before we leave.

    Example

    If we hurry, we can grab the last few tickets before the box office closes for the evening.
Show 4 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 to eat or drink quickly (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    to have a quick meal or drink when you do not have much time.

    to consume food or drink hastily, typically due to time constraints.

    Example

    Let's grab a coffee before the meeting starts.

    Example

    The commuters usually grab a quick sandwich at the station rather than sitting down for a proper lunch.
  2. 4 to attract attention (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to get someone's interest or attention immediately.

    to capture or command the attention or interest of an audience.

    Example

    The bright colours of the advertisement really grab your attention.

    Example

    The opening chapter of the novel is designed to grab the reader's interest and establish a sense of mystery.
  3. 5 an act of seizing (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a sudden attempt to take or hold something.

    a sudden, forceful act of grasping or snatching at an object.

    Example

    The player made a grab for the ball but missed it.

    Example

    In a desperate grab for power, the junior executive attempted to bypass his manager and speak directly to the board.
  4. 6 a taxi ride (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal Dialect

    a ride in a car booked through a specific mobile app, common in Southeast Asia.

    a journey made in a private hire vehicle booked via the Grab ride-hailing platform.

    Example

    It is raining outside, so let's just call a Grab to get to the restaurant.

    Example

    After the concert ended, hundreds of people were trying to book a Grab at the same time, causing prices to surge.

    Usage

    Commonly used in Malaysia, Singapore, and neighbouring countries as a generic term for ride-hailing.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a brand-name turned common noun, similar to 'an Uber' in Western countries.
Etymology 1

From Middle Dutch grabben or Middle Low German grabben (“to grasp, grab, seize, snatch”), from Old Saxon gravan, from Proto-West Germanic grabbōn, a secondary form of Proto-Germanic grabōną (“to gather, rake”), from Proto-Indo-European *gʰrebʰ- (“to gather, rake, grab, seize”). Related to archaic German grappen (“to grab”), Danish grabbe (“to grab”), Swedish grabba (“to grab”), Old Norse grápa (“to seize, appropriate”), Middle English grappen (“to feel, grope, grasp, clutch”), Old English ġegræppian (“to seize”). Related also to Sanskrit गृह्णाति (gṛhṇā́ti), गृभ्णाति (gṛbhṇā́ti, “he seizes”), Avestan 𐬔𐬭𐬀𐬠 (grab, “to seize”)), Macedonian грабне (grabne, “to snatch”), Bulgarian грабя (grabja, “to rob, to grab”).

Etymology 2

From Arabic غُرَاب (ḡurāb) and Hindi ghurb?: crow, raven, a kind of Arab ship.

Word family
Idioms6 entries

© 2026 English Reference