grope

American  

[grohp] / groʊp /

verb (used without object)

groped, groping

1. to feel about with the hands; feel one's way.

   I had to grope around in the darkness before I found the light switch.

   Synonyms:

   fish, probe, fumble

2. to search blindly or uncertainly.

   He seemed to be groping for an answer to the question.

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verb (used with object)

groped, groping

1. to seek by or as if by groping.

   to grope one's way up the dark stairs.

2. Slang. to touch or fondle (someone) for sexual pleasure, especially without the person’s consent.

noun

1. an act or instance of groping.

2. Slang. an act or instance of sexually fondling another person.

grope British  

/ ɡrəʊp /

verb

1. to feel or search about uncertainly (for something) with the hands

2. (intr; usually foll by for or after) to search uncertainly or with difficulty (for a solution, answer, etc)

3. (tr) to find or make (one's way) by groping

4. slang (tr) to feel or fondle the body of (someone) for sexual gratification

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noun

1. the act of groping

Other Word Forms

• gropingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of grope

Before 900; Middle English gropien, Old English grāpian, derivative of grāp “grasp”; akin to gripe, grasp

Related Words

• cast about
• flounder