One syllable: grab.
grab
/ɡɹæb/
grab is pronounced grab (/ɡɹæb/). It has one syllable (grab), with the stress on "grab". Grab is a short, monosyllabic verb meaning to seize or take hold of something quickly. It is commonly used in informal contexts and often implies urgency or casual action. The word centers on a concise, abrupt motion and typically appears in everyday conversation, headlines, and instructions.
Grab is a short, monosyllabic verb meaning to seize or take hold of something quickly. It is commonly used in informal contexts and often implies urgency or casual action. The word centers on a concise, abrupt motion and typically appears in everyday conversation, headlines, and instructions.
"She reached into her bag and grabbed the keys."
"The thief tried to grab the purse, but I yelled for help."
"Grab a chair and join us over here."
Pronounce as /ɡræb/. Start with a voiced velar stop /ɡ/, then the short lax front vowel /æ/ as in 'cat,' and end with the final /b/ with a quick bilabial closure. Stress is on the only syllable. In careful speech you might articulate the /æ/ clearly before the /b/. Audio reference: listen for the crisp onset /ɡ/ and the short vowel before the stop /b/.
Common errors include lengthening the vowel to /eɪ/ like 'grabe' or slurring the final /b/ into a /p/ or /v/ sound. Another mistake is devoicing the final /b/ to /p/ in rapid speech, making it sound like 'grap.' Correction: keep the /æ/ short and crisp, finish with a clear /b/ closure without voicing loss, and avoid adding extra vowel length after the /æ/.
In US/UK/AU, grab is generally /ɡræb/. The primary variation is vowel quality before the /r/ in rhotic accents and in non-rhotic contexts (some UK varieties may reduce rhoticity in unstressed environments). The /æ/ vowel can be slightly more open in American pronunciation and a touch closer in some UK accents depending on region. The /b/ ending remains a voiced bilabial stop across all three. Overall, you’ll hear small vowel-tongue-position differences rather than major consonant changes.
The challenge lies in the short, lax /æ/ vowel followed by a voiced stop /b/ without intruding vowel or aspiration. Many learners mispronounce with a longer vowel or insert a vowel between /æ/ and /b/. Also, rapid speech can mask the vowel length and blur the final stop. Focus on a tight, quick articulation of the /æ/ and a clean, immediate /b/ release to avoid a 'grab'→'grabe' or 'grap' sound.
People often search for the exact /ɡræb/ pattern and the rapid, monosyllabic rhythm. The word challenges learners to maintain a clean /æ/ before a hard /b/ without vowel intrusion or voicing errors. Understanding the transition from the vowel to the final stop helps with connected speech, especially when it appears in phrases like 'grab a coffee' where linking and pace can affect perception of the /æ/ quality and the final release.
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Grab originates in Middle Dutch grabben or German grabben, rooted in the idea of grabbing or grasping. The term migrated into English from the 14th to 15th centuries with similar forms in Low German and Dutch, denoting a quick grasp or grasping action. Early uses were literal, describing physical grabbing objects with the hand. By the 18th and 19th centuries, grab broadened semantically to include figurative meanings such as “to obtain” or “to seize control,” and in modern usage it frequently appears in idioms and phrasal verbs like “grab hold of” or “grab onto.” The word has retained its concise, tactile sense, always implying speed or decisiveness in taking hold. Modern usage often appears in informal speech, headlines, or imperative forms, underscoring its action-oriented core meaning.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "grab" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "grab" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "grab" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "grab"
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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