English Reference
adjective · verb · noun

gripping

adj. · v. · n.
US /ˈɡɹɪpɪŋ/ UK /ɡɹˈɪpɪŋ/ grip·ping

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.so interesting or exciting that you cannot stop paying attention to it.

    adj.compelling or fascinating; capable of commanding and holding one's attention completely.

    Simple

    The novel was so gripping that I stayed up all night to finish it.

    In context

    The documentary offered a gripping account of the rescue mission, combining archival footage with intense first-hand interviews.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    v.holding something very firmly with your hand.

    v.the present participle of 'grip', describing the act of grasping or clutching something tightly.

    Simple

    He was gripping the steering wheel tightly because he was nervous.

    In context

    Gripping the icy railing with both hands, the hiker carefully navigated the narrow ledge above the canyon.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Formal

    n.the action of taking a firm hold of something.

    n.the gerund form denoting the action of applying a grip or grasp.

    Simple

    The proper gripping of the golf club is essential for a good swing.

    In context

    The mechanical arm's gripping of the delicate glass components required precise calibration to avoid structural failure.

Even as rain has returned, experts are warning that the drought gripping large swathes of the UK will not immediately come to an end .

BBC News· 19 Aug 2026

When Joe Biden decided it was “time to end America’s longest war”, he set in motion a tragic and shameful train of events, dramatised in this gripping thriller.

The Guardian· 15 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated