grating

¹

[ grey-ting ]

noun

1. a fixed frame of bars or the like covering an opening to exclude persons, animals, coarse material, or objects while admitting light, air, or fine material.
2. Physics. diffraction grating.

grating

²

[ grey-ting ]

adjective

1. irritating or unpleasant to one's feelings.
2. (of a sound or noise) harsh, discordant, or rasping.

grating

¹

/ ˈɡreɪtɪŋ /

noun

1. Also calledgrate a framework of metal bars in the form of a grille set into a wall, pavement, etc, serving as a cover or guard but admitting air and sometimes light
2. short for diffraction grating

grating

²

/ ˈɡreɪtɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of sounds) harsh and rasping
2. annoying; irritating

noun

1. often plural something produced by grating

Derived Forms

• ˈgratingly, adverb

Other Words From

• grating·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of grating¹

First recorded in 1605–15; grat(e) ¹ + -ing ¹

Origin of grating²

First recorded in 1555–65; grat(e) ² + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Democratic candidates tend to have a style voters find grating.

From Salon

But comedy is subjective: What one person may find a laugh riot, another may dismiss as grating attention-seeking.

From Los Angeles Times

What could have easily sounded grating to adult ears — think Kidz Bop — is instead unrelentingly catchy.

From New York Times

She finds the internet listicles that place fellow family sitcom “Full House” above “Home Improvement” especially grating.

From Los Angeles Times

A hard cheese for grating — a little bit can go a long way, Buckwheat, whether flour for aperitif snacks, sprinkles of it simply toasted, mountain-style pasta or savory brunch crêpes.

From Salon