clasped hands

Meanings

1. 1phraseplural

   hands pressed and held tightly together, often with fingers interlocked, as a gesture of prayer, pleading, or tension.

   Grammar: Always plural; the singular 'clasped hand' is rare and usually means one hand that is held.

   Patterns

   • with clasped hands
   • his/her clasped hands
   • sit with clasped hands

   She sat with clasped hands, waiting for the doctor's news.

   He looked at the camera with clasped hands, begging for help.

   The child prayed with clasped hands before bedtime.

2. 2phraseplural

   hands that are gripping each other or something else tightly, for example in fear or cold.

   Grammar: Often used after 'with' to describe a way of holding the hands.

   Patterns

   • keep clasped hands
   • clasped hands around something

   She kept her clasped hands close to her chest to stay warm.

   His clasped hands were white from the cold.

Common combinations

with clasped hands

He stood with clasped hands, waiting for the verdict.

clasped hands in prayer

The statue shows a woman with clasped hands in prayer.

hold clasped hands

They held clasped hands during the ceremony.

clasped hands together

She put her clasped hands together and closed her eyes.

Synonyms and how they differ

folded hands

Similar, but 'folded hands' often means hands placed palm to palm with fingers straight, not interlocked; 'clasped hands' suggests a tighter grip.

joined hands

This usually means hands held together with someone else's, as in a group, while 'clasped hands' can be one person's own hands.

Word family

clasp verb

To hold something tightly with your hand or hands.

clasp noun

A small metal object that fastens two parts together, like on a necklace.

Commonly confused: clasped hands or clapped hands? clasped hands or clenched hands?

Practice

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