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snatch definition

snatch (snac̸h)

transitive verb

  1. to grasp or seize suddenly, eagerly, or without right, warning, etc.; grab
  2. to remove abruptly or hastily
  3. to take, get, or avail oneself of hastily or while there is a chance to snatch some rest
  4. ☆ Slang to kidnap

Etymology: ME snacchen, prob. var. of snakken, to seize; akin to snaken: see snack

intransitive verb

  1. to try to grasp or seize a thing suddenly; grab (at)
  2. to accept or take advantage of a chance, etc. eagerly: with at

noun

  1. the act of snatching; a grab
  2. a brief period; short time or spell to sleep in snatches
  3. a small portion, esp. one that is incomplete or disconnected; fragment; bit snatches of gossip
  4. Slang, Vulgar the vulva
  5. ☆ Slang an act of kidnapping
  6. Weight Lifting a lift in which the barbell is raised in one continuous motion from the floor to a position directly overhead with the arms completely extended

Etymology: ME snacche

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

snatch Synonyms

snatch

v.

jerk, grasp, steal; see seize 1, 2. See syn. study at seize.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

snatch Usage Examples

Object

  • equalizer: Then, with just seconds left on the clock, Colin Stein snatched a dramatic equalizer for Rangers.

Modifying Another Word

  • cruelly: But for some, that lifeline has been cruelly snatched away.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • away: But goals on 86 and 87 minutes saw the points cruelly snatched away from them and sent Sutton into hyperactive celebrations.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • away: He lived 27 years 4 months 11 days. " Sudden death snatched away the prime of his life " .

Preposition: of

  • conversation: Even my husband had not heard the whole tale, only bits gleaned from snatches of conversation.

Preposition: from

  • jaw: A good trip snatched from the jaws of incompetence.
snatch usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"snatch." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/snatch>

APA Style

snatch. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/snatch

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