grasp

CEFRB2

/ɡɹɑːsp/

verb · noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To hold something firmly or understand an idea.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To take advantage of something, to seize, to jump at a chance.

Examples

  • Some people find it easier to grasp the short-term effects of smoking.

  • We fail to grasp the meaning of the word.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /ɡɹæps/
  • /ɡɹasp/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To understand.

  2. To grip; to take hold, particularly with the hand.

noun

Extra meaning

  1. That which is accessible; that which is within one's reach or ability.

More examples

In context

  • But he slipped from my grasp.

  • A vagrant gust of wind snatched the note from my grasp.

  • I have never been able to grasp the concept of infinity.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

He reached out to blank the rope and pull himself up.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English graspen, grapsen, craspen (“to grope; feel around”), from Old English *grǣpsian, from Proto-West Germanic *graipisōn, from Proto-Germanic *graipisōną, from Proto-Indo-European *gʰrebʰ- (“to take, seize, rake”), the same ultimate source as grab. Cognate with Saterland Frisian grapsje (“to grab, grasp”), German Low German grapsen (“to grab; grasp”), German grapsen and grapschen, Old English grāpian ("to touch, feel, grasp"; > Modern English grope). Compare also Swedish krafsa (“to scatch; scabble”), Norwegian krafse (“to scramble”).