English · Word Candidate

grasp

/ɡɹɑːsp/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: grasps · grasping · grasped

Sense 1

Meaning · English

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

Verb

How few! yet how they creep / Through my fingers to the deep, / While I weep—while I weep! / O God! can I not grasp / Them with a tighter clasp?

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To understand.

Verb

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

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Grip.

Noun

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

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Understanding.

Noun

There is for the mind but one grasp of happiness: from that uppermost pinnacle of wisdom, whence we see that this world is well designed.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “grasp” mean?

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

Is “grasp” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.