grasp

GRASP/ɡɹæsp/UKGRAHSP/ɡɹɑːsp/

Noun pluralgrasps

6 meanings of grasp

1
verbtransitive
To take hold of something tightly with your hand.
Like closing your hand around a door handle to hold it.
She reached out to grasp the railing as she climbed the stairs.
He grasped the rope and pulled himself up the cliff.
Similargrip, clutch, clasp, hold, seize
Oppositerelease
2
verbtransitive
To fully understand an idea or how something works.
Like finally seeing the whole picture after looking at small pieces.
It took me a while to grasp the rules of the game.
Young children quickly grasp new languages.
Similarunderstand, comprehend, follow, appreciate, realize
3
nounfigurativelycountable
A firm hold of power or control over someone or something.
Like being held so tightly that you cannot get away.
Fear had a tight grasp on the frightened villagers.
He struggled to break free of his rival's grasp.
Similargrip, hold, control, power
4
nouncountable
A clear understanding of an idea or subject.
Like holding an idea firmly in your mind.
She has a good grasp of basic math.
His grasp of the language improved quickly over the summer.
Similarunderstanding, comprehension, command, knowledge, mastery
5
noununcountable
Something that you are able to reach or achieve.
Like a fruit hanging just close enough to pick.
A college degree felt beyond her grasp at first.
Success was finally within his grasp.
Similarreach, range, scope
6
verbtransitive
To quickly take a chance when you get one.
Like grabbing a ball thrown to you before it falls.
When the job offer came, she grasped it right away.
You should grasp every chance to learn something new.
Similarseize, grab, take, embrace
Oppositemiss

Practice

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Origin

It comes from an old English word meaning 'to grope' or 'feel around.' It goes back through Germanic roots to an ancient root meaning 'to take or seize,' the same source as 'grab.'