clasp

verb

/klɑːsp/

/klæsp/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they clasp	/klɑːsp/ /klæsp/
he / she / it clasps	/klɑːsps/ /klæsps/
past simple clasped	/klɑːspt/ /klæspt/
past participle clasped	/klɑːspt/ /klæspt/
-ing form clasping	/ˈklɑːspɪŋ/ /ˈklæspɪŋ/

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clasp something to hold something tightly in your hand
- He leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly together.
- They clasped hands (= held each other's hands).
- I stood there, clasping the door handle.
Synonyms hold
hold
- hold on
- cling
- clutch
- grip
- grasp
- clasp
- hang on
These words all mean to have somebody/something in your hands or arms.
- hold to have somebody/something 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 somebody/something; to put your hand on somebody/something and not take your hand away:
  Hold on and don’t let go until I say so.
- cling to hold on to somebody/something tightly, especially with your whole body:
  Survivors clung to pieces of floating debris.
- clutch to hold somebody/something 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 a strong hold of somebody/something:
  He grasped my hand and shook it warmly.
  The object of grasp is often somebody’s hand or wrist.
- clasp (formal) to hold somebody/something tightly in your hand or in your arms:
  They clasped hands (= held each other’s hands).
  She clasped the children in her arms.
  The object of clasp is often your hands, somebody 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 tight. We’re off!
Patterns
- to hold/clutch/grip/clasp something in your hand/hands
- to hold/clutch/clasp somebody/something in your arms
- to hold/clutch/grip/grasp/clasp/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
Extra Examples
- He clasped her arm and spun her about.
- He clasped my hand warmly in welcome.
- She clasped her bag tightly as she walked through the crowd.
- She faced Will, her hands clasped together.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- firmly
- tightly
- gently
- …
See full entry
clasp somebody/something (+ adv./prep.) to hold somebody/something tightly with your arms around them
- She clasped the children in her arms.
- He clasped her to him.
- She clasped her arms tightly around him.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- firmly
- tightly
- gently
- …
See full entry
clasp something (+ adv./prep.) to fasten something with a clasp
- She clasped the bracelet around her wrist.

Word OriginMiddle English: of unknown origin.