snatch

UK: /ˈsnætʃ/ US: /snætʃ/ ,(snach)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

snatch /snætʃ/   v. 

1. to make a sudden move to seize (something), as with the hand;
   grab: [~ + at + object]
   snatched at her purse.
   [~ + object]
   He snatched the woman's purse.

n. [countable]

2. an act or instance of snatching.
3. a sudden motion to seize something;
   grab.
4. a small piece or part of something;
   bit;
   scrap:
   He could just make out snatches of their conversation.
5. a brief amount of time spent in an effort or activity:
   to work in snatches, a few minutes here, a few minutes there.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

snatch  (snach), v.i. 

1. to make a sudden effort to seize something, as with the hand;
   grab (usually fol. by at).

v.t. 

2. to seize by a sudden or hasty grasp:
   He snatched the old lady's purse and ran.
3. to take, get, secure, etc., suddenly or hastily.
4. to rescue or save by prompt action:
   He snatched the baby from the fire.
5. [Slang.] to kidnap.

n. 

6. the act or an instance of snatching.
7. a sudden motion to seize something;
   grab:
   He made a snatch as if to stop her.
8. a bit, scrap, or fragment of something:
   snatches of conversation.
9. a brief spell of effort, activity, or any experience:
   to work in snatches.
10. Nautical, Naval Terms a sheave or projecting member serving as a fairlead.
11. a brief period of time.
12. Slang Terms an act of kidnapping.
13. Slang Terms (vulgar). vulva;
    vagina.
14. Sport [Weightlifting.] a lift in which the barbell is brought in a single motion from the floor to an arms-extended position overhead. Cf. clean and jerk. 

• ?; cognate with Middle Dutch snacken
• Middle English snacche (noun, nominal), snacchen (verb, verbal) 1175–1225

snatch′a•ble, adj. 
snatch′er, n. 
snatch′ing•ly, adv. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

snatch / snætʃ/ verb

1. (transitive) to seize or grasp (something) suddenly or peremptorily: he snatched the chocolate out of my hand
2. (intransitive) usually followed by at: to seize or attempt to seize suddenly
3. (transitive) to take hurriedly: to snatch some sleep
4. (transitive) to remove suddenly: she snatched her hand away
5. (transitive) to gain, win, or rescue, esp narrowly: they snatched victory in the closing seconds

noun

1. an act of snatching
2. a fragment or small incomplete part: snatches of conversation
3. a brief spell: snatches of time off
4. a lift in which the weight is raised in one quick motion from the floor to an overhead position
5. an act of kidnapping
6. a robbery: a diamond snatch

Etymology: 13th Century snacchen; related to Middle Dutch snakken to gasp, Old Norse snaka to sniff around

ˈsnatcher noun