prehensile – capable of grasping, grabbing; able to hold on to things especially by curling around them

(Pronounced pree-hen-sile)

To remember the definition of the word prehensile, use the following mnemonic:

Previously the hens found it futile (prehensile) to build things, but the new generation had grown arms and hands instead of wings so they could grasp and pick things up.

Examples of prehensile in a sentence

The monkey almost fell from the tree, but her prehensile tail saved her.

The greedy gibbon held bananas in his prehensile hands, feet and tail.

With its prehensile tongue, the giraffe easily strips the trees of leaves.