reacher

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A tool with a long handle and a grabbing end, used to pick up things without bending or stretching.

   Grammar: Countable: a reacher, two reachers. Often called a 'grabber' or 'reaching tool' in everyday speech.

   Patterns

   • use a reacher
   • pick something up with a reacher

   She used a reacher to get the jar from the top shelf.

   A reacher can help you avoid bending after back surgery.

   He keeps a reacher in the kitchen for hard-to-reach items.

2. 2nouncountable

   A person who reaches for something or who stretches out to touch or get something.

   Grammar: Countable; usually used with an adjective or in a compound like 'the reacher of the prize'.

   Patterns

   • the reacher of something
   • a reacher for something

   The first reacher of the rope pulled himself onto the ledge.

   As the tallest reacher in the group, he got the ball down.

   She was the reacher who caught the falling cup.

Word forms

Common combinations

use a reacher

He used a reacher to pick up the paper from the floor.

a reacher for something

The device is a reacher for items on high shelves.

grabber reacher

A grabber reacher is useful for people with limited mobility.

Synonyms and how they differ

grabber

The everyday word for the tool; reacher is more formal and often used in medical or catalog contexts.

picker

Can mean a similar tool, but also a person who picks fruit or other things; reacher is more specific to reaching.

Word family

reach verb

To stretch out your arm to touch or get something.

reach noun

The distance you can stretch to, or the act of reaching.

Commonly confused: reacher or reach?

Practice

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