VocabauraVOCABAURA

clasp

noun · verb

Simple meaning

A fastener that is used to hold two things together.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

klasp
US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈklæsp

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

noun

  1. A fastener (as a buckle or hook) that is used to hold two things together

  2. countable

    A device with interlocking parts used for fastening things together, such as a fastener or a holder.

  3. uncountable

    An embrace, a grasp, or handshake.

  4. countable

    A bar or insignia on a medal ribbon, to either indicate an additional award of the medal, or the action or service for which it was awarded.

verb

  1. Hold firmly and tightly

  2. transitive

    To take hold of; to grasp.

  3. Fasten with or as if with a brooch

  4. transitive

    To shut or fasten together with, or as if with, a clasp.

Word at a Glance

Difficulty
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Uncommon
Typical Use
Neutral / general English

Word Aura™

How this word commonly comes across.

Aura for this meaning

This meaning: A fastener (as a buckle or hook) that is used to hold two things together

Used this way, clasp is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.

Emotional tone
Neutral
Formality
Neutral
Intensity
Not strongly marked
How common
Moderately common
Connotation
Matter-of-fact
Usage feel
Neutral and straightforward

Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.

More ways to use clasp

  • “He released his clasp on my arm.”noun

Share your sentence

Write your own example sentence using “clasp”. We review each one before it appears.

Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

clasp knifeclasp armsilver claspgold clasphand claspwarm claspfirm clasp

Tap the highlighted word to open its own entry.

Similar Words, What’s the Difference?

Close in meaning, but not always interchangeable.

  • clench

    Any of several fastenings.

  • hold

    An act or instance of holding.

  • buckle

    Some other form of clasp used to fasten two things together.

Word Family

Related forms, grouped by how they connect.

Compound terms

Established multiword terms.

  • clasp knifenounCompound term

    A large knife with one or more folding blades.

More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin

Synonyms

Sense: fastener (as a buckle

buckle

Antonyms

Sense: hold firmly and tightly

unclaspRare

Use This Word

See how this word sounds in a real sentence.

Ask Vocabaura

Understand the word your way.

What Does It Mean Here?

Words can change meaning depending on context.

Use it yourself

Knowing “clasp” starts when you use it. Pick a next step, all free.

Know the meaning? Practice using it in a real situation, free, no credits.

Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.