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grasp

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verb [transitive] American English pronunciation: grasp /ɡræsp/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theygrasp
he/she/itgrasps
present participlegrasping
past tensegrasped
past participlegrasped
  1. 1
    to take and hold something or someone very tightly

    She grasped his hand and pulled him toward her.

    grasp someone by the shoulders/arm/wrist etc.:

    He grasped her firmly by the shoulders.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  graspThesaurus entry for this meaning of grasp
  2. 2
    to understand something

    He was finding it difficult to grasp the rules of the game.

    grasp the meaning/significance of something:

    You should try to grasp the meaning of whole sentences.

    grasp a concept/principle/point:

    Charlie grasped the point at once.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  graspThesaurus entry for this meaning of grasp
  3. 3
    to take advantage of an opportunity when it happens

    We must grasp every opportunity if we are going to succeed.

    He had failed to grasp his one chance of happiness.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  graspThesaurus entry for this meaning of grasp

phrasal verbs

See also

This is the American English definition of grasp. View British English definition of grasp.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

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