grabby

adjective

grab·​by ˈgra-bē 

grabbier; grabbiest

1

: tending to grab : grasping, greedy

grabby hands

taught the children not to be grabby

2

: having the power to grab the attention

grabby ads

Synonyms of grabby

• greedy
• eager
• mercenary
• acquisitive
• covetous
• avaricious
• grasping

Examples of grabby in a Sentence

You need to learn to share and not be so grabby.

very young children tend to be grabby and often refuse to share

Recent Examples on the Web

Between snot, sloppy kisses, spit up, poop and grabby little hands, there are plenty of other pathways by which a lactating parent’s body could get information about what antibodies to put on the menu. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 29 July 2026

This isn’t a grabby, attention seeker of a film, but a quiet, watchful sort of movie that whispers its secrets sotto voce. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026

Be sure to include the key takeaway or a single grabby observation, insight, or reveal that will hook your audience. — Vulture Editors, Vulture, 12 May 2026

These versions often aren’t particularly explosive or even all that grabby. — Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1910, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grabby

• abbe
• cabbie
• cabby
• flabby
• gabby
• gaby
• scabby
• shabby
• tabby