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Definition of grip verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    grip

     verb
    verb
    NAmE//ɡrɪp//
     
    Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they grip
     
    he / she / it grips
     
    past simple gripped
     
    -ing form gripping
     
     
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    hold tightly
  1. 1[transitive, intransitive] to hold something tightly synonym grasp grip something “Please don't go,” he said, gripping her arm. grip on to something She gripped onto the railing with both hands. Thesaurushold
    • hold on
    • cling
    • clutch
    • grip
    • grasp
    • clasp
    • hang on
    These words all mean to have something or someone in your hands or arms.
    • hold to have something or someone in your hand or arms:She was holding a large box. I held the baby gently in my arms.
    • hold on (to somebody/something) to continue to hold something or someone; to put your hand on something or someone and not take your hand away:Hold on and don't let go until I say so.
    • cling to hold on to something or someone tightly, especially with your whole body:Survivors clung to pieces of floating debris.
    • clutch to hold something or someone tightly, especially in your hand; to take hold of something suddenly:She stood there, the flowers still clutched in her hand. He felt himself slipping and clutched at a branch.
    • grip to hold on to something very tightly with your hand:Grip the rope as tightly as you can.
    • grasp to take hold of something firmly:He grasped my hand and shook it warmly.
    • clasp (formal) to hold something or someone tightly in your hand or in your arms:They clasped hands (= held each other's hands). She clasped the children to her breast. The object of clasp is often your hands, someone else's hand, or another person.
    • hang on (to something) to hold on to something very tightly, especially in order to support yourself or stop yourself from falling:Hang on to the safety rope in case you slip and fall.
    Patterns
    • to hold/clutch/grip/clasp something in your hand/hands
    • to hold/clasp somebody/something in your arms
    • to hold/hang on to something
    • to hold/cling/hang on
    • to hold/clutch/clasp somebody/something to you
    • to hold/hold on to/cling to/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp/hang on to somebody/something tightly
    • to hold/hold on to/cling to/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp somebody/something firmly
    • to hold/hold on to/clutch/grip/clasp/hang on to somebody/something tight
    2. interest/excite
  2. 2[transitive] grip somebody to interest or excite someone; to hold someone's attention The book grips you from start to finish. I was totally gripped by the story. see gripping
    3. have powerful effect
  3. 3[transitive] grip somebody/something (of an emotion or a situation) to have a powerful effect on someone or something I was gripped by a feeling of panic. A sudden fear gripped me. Terrorism has gripped the country for the past two years.
    4. move/hold without slipping
  4. 4[transitive, intransitive] grip (something) to hold onto or to move over a surface without slipping tires that grip the road
See grip in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: grip

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