snatch

[ snach ]
See synonyms for: snatchsnatchedsnatching on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
  1. to make a sudden effort to seize something, as with the hand; grab (usually followed by at).

verb (used with object)
  1. to seize by a sudden or hasty grasp: He snatched the old lady's purse and ran.

  2. to take, get, secure, etc., suddenly or hastily.

  1. to rescue or save by prompt action: He snatched the baby from the fire.

  2. Slang. to kidnap.

noun
  1. the act or an instance of snatching.

  2. a sudden motion to seize something; grab: He made a snatch as if to stop her.

  1. a bit, scrap, or fragment of something: snatches of conversation.

  2. a brief spell of effort, activity, or any experience: to work in snatches.

  3. Nautical. a sheave or projecting member serving as a fairlead.

  4. a brief period of time.

  5. Slang. an act of kidnapping.

  6. Slang: Vulgar. vulva; vagina.

  7. Weightlifting. a lift in which the barbell is brought in a single motion from the floor to an arms-extended position overhead.

Origin of snatch

1
1175–1225; Middle English snacche (noun), snacchen (v.) < ?; cognate with Middle Dutch snacken

Other words from snatch

  • snatch·a·ble, adjective
  • snatcher, noun
  • snatch·ing·ly, adverb
  • outsnatch, verb (used with object)
  • un·snatched, adjective

Words Nearby snatch

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use snatch in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for snatch

snatch

/ (snætʃ) /


verb
  1. (tr) to seize or grasp (something) suddenly or peremptorily: he snatched the chocolate out of my hand

  2. (intr usually foll by at) to seize or attempt to seize suddenly

  1. (tr) to take hurriedly: to snatch some sleep

  2. (tr) to remove suddenly: she snatched her hand away

  3. (tr) to gain, win, or rescue, esp narrowly: they snatched victory in the closing seconds

  4. (tr) (in weightlifting) to lift (a weight) with a snatch

  5. snatch one's time Australian informal to leave a job, taking whatever pay is due

noun
  1. an act of snatching

  2. a fragment or small incomplete part: snatches of conversation

  1. a brief spell: snatches of time off

  2. weightlifting a lift in which the weight is raised in one quick motion from the floor to an overhead position

  3. slang, mainly US an act of kidnapping

  4. British slang a robbery: a diamond snatch

Origin of snatch

1
C13 snacchen; related to Middle Dutch snakken to gasp, Old Norse snaka to sniff around

Derived forms of snatch

  • snatcher, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012