# grip

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɡɹɪp/ · frequency rank #5,968

## Definitions
1. To take hold (of), particularly with the hand.
2. To figuratively take hold of or grasp.
3. Of an emotion or situation: to have a strong effect upon.
4. To firmly hold the attention of.

## Etymology
Verb from Middle English grippen, from Old English grippan, from a Proto-Germanic *gripjaną (compare Old High German gripfen); compare the related Old English grīpan, whence English gripe. See also grope, and the related Proto-Germanic *grīpaną.
Noun from Middle English grippe, gripe, an amalgam of Old English gripe (“grasp, hold”) (cognate with German Griff) and Old English gripa (“handful”) (cognate with Swedish grepp).

## Easily confused with
- **GUI** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-gui)
- **GSP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-gsp)
- **GRU** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-gru)
- **gro** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-gro)
- **grr** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-grr)
- **grt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-grt)
- **grow** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-grow)
- **grit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-grit)
- **grub** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-grub)
- **gump** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-gump)
- **gulp** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-gulp)
- **grog** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-grog)
- **group** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-group)
- **grips** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-grips)
- **groin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-groin)
- **grits** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-grits)
- **gripe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-gripe)
- **grist** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-grist)
- **grope** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grip-vs-grope)
- **GP** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gp-vs-grip)

## Common misspellings (6)
`ggrip`, `girp`, `gripp`, `grpi`, `grrip`, `rgip`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/grip