grope

grope

verb \ˈgrōp\

gropedgrop·ing

Definition of GROPE

intransitive verb

1

: to feel about blindly or uncertainly in search <grope for the light switch>

2

: to look for something blindly or uncertainly <grope for the right words>

3

: to feel one's way

transitive verb

1

: feel up

2

: to find (as one's way) by groping

— grope noun

— grop·er noun

Examples of GROPE

1. I groped for the light switch.
2. She groped around in her purse, looking for her comb.
3. We groped along the dark passage.
4. She claims that her boss tried to grope her.

Origin of GROPE

Middle English, from Old English grāpian; akin to Old English grīpan to seize

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to GROPE

Synonyms

feel, fish, fumble, scrabble

Related Words

grabble; cast about, hunt, look, reach, seek (out); capture, clutch, corral, get, grab, nab, nail, seize, snatch; comb, dig (through), dredge, rake, ransack, rifle, rummage, scour

Rhymes with GROPE

cope, coup, dope, hope, lope, mope, nope, ope, pope, rope, scop, scope, slope, soap, stope, taupe, tope, trope