claw
KLAW
/klɔː/
A curved, pointed nail on each digit of the foot in birds, lizards, and some mammals. As a verb, to scratch or tear with claws.
Claw can be used metaphorically to describe struggling desperately to achieve something ('claw one's way back'). It carries a sharp, aggressive tone.
The story behind the word. Claw comes from the Old English 'clāwu', which shares Germanic roots with words meaning to grip, cleave, or hold together. It has remained virtually unchanged in meaning for over a thousand years, representing the ultimate tool of animal survival.
Word relationships
- talon: Talon specifically refers to the claw of a bird of prey, while claw is a general term for mammals, reptiles, and birds.
- nail: Nail is flatter and found on primates and humans, whereas a claw is curved, sharp, and designed for gripping or tearing.
Commonly confused with
- clog: A clog is a type of shoe or a blockage, whereas a claw is a sharp animal nail.
Word family
- clawed (adjective): Having claws, or damaged by scratching.
- clawing (noun): The act of scratching or tearing with claws.
Collocations
- sharp claw
- retractable claw
- claw back
- claw one's way
Idioms & expressions
- red in tooth and claw
- claw one's way back
Example sentences
- "Tho' Nature, red in tooth and claw, with ravine, shriek'd against his creed." A famous poetic description of the harshness of the natural world. (Alfred Lord Tennyson, In Memoriam A.H.H., 1850)
- "The cat extended its sharp claw to swipe at the toy dangling in front of its nose." Describing a cat defending its territory.
Memory hook
A 'claw' acts like a 'clamp' to hold onto prey tightly. Claw = Sharp clamp.
When not to use
Do not use claw when referring to human fingernails unless you are deliberately emphasizing a sharp, animalistic, or aggressive quality.
Fun facts
- Most felines have fully retractable claws, which keep them sharp by preventing them from rubbing against the ground when walking.
- Cheetahs are the major exception to this rule; they have semi-retractable claws that act like athletic cleats for traction.
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