crab grass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, Technical (horticulture/agriculture)
Quick answer
What does “crab grass” mean?
A fast-growing, weedy grass species, typically Digitaria, that spreads low to the ground and is difficult to eradicate from lawns.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A fast-growing, weedy grass species, typically Digitaria, that spreads low to the ground and is difficult to eradicate from lawns.
Informally, any stubborn, undesirable, and invasive weed that is difficult to control. Sometimes used metaphorically to describe a persistent, low-level nuisance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used in both varieties but is more common in American English due to the prevalence of the specific lawn weed in North America. British speakers might refer to similar weedy grasses more generically.
Connotations
Strongly negative in both varieties, associated with poor lawn care and frustration.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English, particularly in suburban/domestic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “crab grass” in a Sentence
The [lawn/yard] is infested with ~Apply [herbicide] to control ~~ spreads quickly in [summer/heat]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crab grass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The entire garden has been crabgrassed.
American English
- My lawn is crabgrassing despite the herbicide.
adverb
British English
- [Not typically used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not typically used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- We have a crabgrass problem.
American English
- It's a crabgrass-infested yard.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in marketing for lawn care products and services.
Academic
Used in botany, horticulture, and agricultural science papers.
Everyday
Common in conversations about gardening, lawn maintenance, and home care.
Technical
Precise botanical identification within the genus Digitaria.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crab grass”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crab grass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crab grass”
- Spelling as 'crab grass' vs. 'crabgrass' (both acceptable, but the latter is more modern).
- Using it as a generic term for any weed (it is a specific type).
- Confusing it with 'couch grass' (Elymus repens), a different invasive species.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are different species. Crabgrass is an annual grass (Digitaria), while quackgrass (Elymus repens) is a perennial weed with rhizomes.
In a controlled setting, some species can be used as forage, but in lawns and gardens, it is universally considered a problematic weed.
The best time is in late spring or early summer when the plants are young and actively growing, before they set seed.
The name likely comes from its sprawling, low-growing habit, which was thought to resemble the shape of a crab, or from its tenacious, grasping nature.
A fast-growing, weedy grass species, typically Digitaria, that spreads low to the ground and is difficult to eradicate from lawns.
Crab grass is usually informal, technical (horticulture/agriculture) in register.
Crab grass: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrabɡrɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkræbˌɡræs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'crabgrass'.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a CRAB grabbing onto your lawn with its many legs, refusing to let go – CRABGRASS is the stubborn weed that clutches your garden.
Conceptual Metaphor
INVASION / DISEASE (crabgrass invades a healthy lawn like a disease or an invading force).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary concern associated with crabgrass?