grip meaning

UK /ɡrɪp/ US /ɡrɪp/ 1 syllable

grip (noun): the act of grasping.

grip has 10 meanings in this dictionary, as noun and verb.

grip as a noun

  1. the act of grasping
    • he released his clasp on my arm
    • he has a strong grip for an old man
    • she kept a firm hold on the railing

    Synonyms: clasp, clench, clutch, clutches, grasp, hold

    Type of: grasping

    Kinds: chokehold, embrace, wrestling hold

  2. the appendage to an object that is designed to be held in order to use or move it
    • he grabbed the hammer by the handle
    • it was an old briefcase but it still had a good grip

    Synonyms: handle, handgrip, hold

    Type of: appendage

    Kinds: ax handle, broomstick, crop, haft, hilt, hoe handle, knob, mop handle, panhandle, pommel, rake handle, stock

  3. a portable rectangular container for carrying clothes
    • he carried his small bag onto the plane with him

    Synonyms: bag, traveling bag, travelling bag, suitcase

    Type of: baggage

    Kinds: carpetbag, garment bag, gripsack, overnighter, portmanteau, weekender

  4. the friction between a body and the surface on which it moves (as between an automobile tire and the road)

    Synonyms: traction, adhesive friction

    Type of: friction

  5. worker who moves the camera around while a film or television show is being made

    Type of: skilled worker

  6. an intellectual hold or understanding
    • a good grip on French history
    • they kept a firm grip on the two top priorities
    • he was in the grip of a powerful emotion
    • a terrible power had her in its grasp

    Synonyms: grasp

    Type of: influence

    Kinds: tentacle

  7. a flat wire hairpin whose prongs press tightly together; used to hold bobbed hair in place
    • in Britain they call a bobby pin a grip

    Synonyms: bobby pin, hairgrip

    Type of: hairpin

grip as a verb

  1. hold fast or firmly
    • He gripped the steering wheel

    Type of: seize

    Kinds: bite, pinch

  2. to grip or seize, as in a wrestling match
    • the two men grappled with each other for several minutes

    Synonyms: grapple

    Type of: seize

  3. to render motionless, as with a fixed stare or by arousing terror or awe
    • The snake charmer fascinates the cobra

    Synonyms: fascinate, transfix, spellbind

    Type of: interest

How to pronounce grip

grip is pronounced /ɡrɪp/ in British English and /ɡrɪp/ in American English. It has 1 syllable.

Words that rhyme with grip

Word lists: words starting with GR · words ending in IP · 4-letter words

More about grip on Wikipedia.