claw
B1Neutral (used in formal, informal, and technical contexts depending on usage)
Definition
Meaning
A sharp, curved, horny nail on the toe/foot of an animal, especially a bird, reptile, or mammal, used for gripping, digging, or attacking.
A mechanical device resembling an animal's claw, used for gripping or holding; to scratch or tear at something with claws or fingernails; to achieve something with great effort.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun refers to the physical structure. The verb often implies a desperate, forceful, or primitive action, either literal (scratching) or metaphorical (struggling to achieve).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning or usage. Minor spelling variations in derived terms (e.g., 'clawed' vs. 'clawed' is the same).
Connotations
Identical core connotations of sharpness, attack, and primitive force.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] claw at something[verb] claw one's way to/through/into something[verb] claw something backVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “claw back (regain with difficulty)”
- “in the claws of (in the power of)”
- “fight tooth and claw (fight very fiercely)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The company tried to claw back market share with aggressive pricing.' (metaphorical struggle)
Academic
The fossil displayed well-preserved dromaeosaurid claws.
Everyday
My cat accidentally clawed the sofa.
Technical
The excavator's hydraulic claw closed around the debris.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The stranded climber had to claw his way up the icy rock face.
- The government aims to claw back billions in lost tax revenue.
American English
- The kitten clawed at the ball of yarn.
- He clawed his way back from last place to finish third.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form. Use phrases like 'with claws'.
American English
- No standard adverbial form. Use phrases like 'in a clawing manner'.
adjective
British English
- The antique chair had claw-and-ball feet.
- He bought a new claw hammer for the DIY project.
American English
- She ordered a bear claw pastry with her coffee.
- The arcade's claw machine was nearly impossible to win.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cat has sharp claws.
- The crab has two big claws.
- The eagle used its claws to catch the fish.
- Be careful not to scratch the table with the claw of the hammer.
- Trapped in the wreckage, she clawed desperately at the loose dirt to free her leg.
- The company managed to claw back some of its losses in the second quarter.
- Critics accused the administration of trying to claw back constitutional freedoms through stealth legislation.
- The film is a visceral portrayal of a man clawing his way out of addiction and poverty.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cat's LAW: its CLAW is its sharp, curved weapon for catching prey.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLAWING IS A DESPERATE STRUGGLE/ACHIEVEMENT (e.g., 'clawing his way to the top').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'paw' (лапа). 'Claw' is specifically the sharp nail (коготь).
- The verb 'to claw' implies scratching/tearing, not just touching with a paw.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'claw' for a human fingernail in a non-metaphorical sense (incorrect: 'She painted her claws.').
- Confusing 'claw' (curved and sharp) with 'hoof' (hard, rounded foot of a horse).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'claw' MOST metaphorical?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not literally for fingernails (that would be poetic or derogatory). It is used metaphorically for human actions (e.g., clawing one's way to success) or for mechanical imitations (claw hammer).
A 'talon' is a specific type of claw—a large, sharp, curved one on a bird of prey or a predatory animal. All talons are claws, but not all claws (e.g., a cat's claw, a crab's claw) are called talons.
Yes, in a metaphorical sense. For example: 'The wind clawed at the shutters.' It can also describe the action of a mechanical claw.
It means to regain something (like money, advantage, or power) with great difficulty or effort, often after losing it.
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