Clutch
/klʌtʃ/
nounverbB2
Definition
As a verb, clutch means to grab or hold something very tightly, often because you are afraid, nervous, or need to keep it safe. As a noun, clutch can mean a group of eggs laid together by a bird or reptile. In informal use, clutch describes an important moment when someone does something very well under pressure, like winning a game.
Was this helpful?
⚡ See It in Action
To hold something tightly with your hand or arms (verb)
- •She clutched her purse when walking through the dark street.
- •He clutched the steering wheel during the storm.
- •The child clutched his mother’s hand nervously.
A group of eggs laid at the same time by a bird or reptile (noun)
- •The bird sat on her clutch of eggs to keep them warm.
- •The turtle’s clutch usually has about 50 eggs.
- •Scientists counted the clutch to study the species’ reproduction.
An important moment when success depends on quick action, often in sports (informal noun)
- •The player made a clutch shot to win the game.
- •She is known for her clutch performances under pressure.
- •That was a clutch moment in the final seconds of the match.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "clutch" like "hold" (A1 word), but much tighter and stronger—like you don’t want to lose it at all
- ✓Picture a baby bird clutching its mother’s feathers or a player clutching a ball in a game at the last second
- ✓It’s the feeling when you grab your bag tightly because you are scared of losing it
- ✓Sounds like "clutch" → imagine your hand closing like a small metal clamp or claw, holding something very tight
- ✓In stories, heroes clutch their sword when danger is near, showing they are ready to protect themselves
- ✓NOT like "grab" (which can be quick and loose), clutch means holding firmly and tightly
- ✓NOT like "drop" (letting go), clutch is the opposite—holding on strongly
- ✓NOT like "carry" (which can be relaxed), clutch shows strong, careful holding
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Grab: to take quickly with your hand (Use when the action is fast and not necessarily tight)
- •Grip: to hold firmly (Use when emphasizing strength of hold, similar to clutch but often more physical)
- •Seize: to take hold suddenly and forcefully (Use in formal or strong action contexts)
- •Embrace: to hold closely with arms (Use when holding warmly or lovingly, different feeling from clutch)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix) base word "clutch"
- •Etymology: From Middle English "clutchen," meaning to grasp or seize tightly
- •Historical development: Used since the 14th century to mean grasp or hold tightly; later extended to mean a group of eggs in the 17th century; modern slang uses it for important moments in sports or life
- •Modern usage: Commonly used as verb for holding tightly and in sports or everyday speech to describe critical moments of success
💭 Reflect & Connect
•When have you had to clutch something tightly because you felt scared or nervous? How did it feel?
•Can you think of a "clutch moment" in your life when quick action was very important? What happened?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.She clutched her bag ___ tightly because she was afraid someone might ___ it.
2.The mother bird sat on her clutch of eggs to ___ them warm and safe.
3.In sports, a clutch player is someone who performs well ___ pressure or in the ___ moments.
4.Unlike a quick grab, to clutch something means to hold it ___ and with strong ___.
5.When he felt scared, he clutched ___ his friend’s arm for comfort.
6.The team won because their star player made a clutch ___ in the last seconds.
7.A clutch of eggs is usually laid ___ at the same time and cared for ___ by the parent.