grabbed

Grabbed is the past tense and past participle of the verb grab. The primary sense is to seize or take hold of something quickly and firmly, usually with the hand or a tool. It can refer to a physical action (grabbed the rope) as well as the transfer of objects (grabbing a chair, grabbing a snack). Metaphorically, phrases like grabbed attention or grabbed headlines describe the rapid or forceful attraction of interest or importance.

Etymology and forms: Grab is a Germanic-rooted verb. The exact origin in English is uncertain, but it is related to other words for seizing in Germanic languages and to the notion of grip. The past tense is regular, formed by adding -ed to the base grab to make grabbed. Other forms are grabs (third-person singular) and grabbing (present participle and gerund).

Usage notes: Grabbing implies suddenness or force; in formal writing, seizing or taking may be preferred for a neutral tone. In sports or law enforcement contexts, grabbing can carry a sense of unlawful or aggressive action, whereas terms like seize or take may be more neutral. In everyday speech, contractions such as “I grabbed a coffee” are common. Common collocations include grab a bite, grab hold of, and grab someone’s arm, all of which emphasize quick action or direct contact.

Examples: She grabbed the door handle and pulled it open. He grabbed her arm to stop her from leaving. The announcement grabbed the audience’s attention from the start. She grabbed a sandwich on her way out.