grit

[ grit ]

noun

1. abrasive particles or granules, as of sand or other small, coarse impurities found in the air, food, water, etc.
2. firmness of character; indomitable spirit; pluck:

   She has a reputation for grit and common sense.

   Synonyms: courage, fortitude, resolution

3. a coarse-grained siliceous rock, usually with sharp, angular grains.
4. British. gravel.
5. sand or other fine grainy particles eaten by fowl to aid in digestion.

verb (used with object)

, grit·ted, grit·ting.

1. to cause to grind or grate together.

verb (used without object)

, grit·ted, grit·ting.

1. to make a scratchy or slightly grating sound, as of sand being walked on; grate.

grit

¹

/ ɡrɪt /

noun

1. small hard particles of sand, earth, stone, etc
2. Also calledgritstone any coarse sandstone that can be used as a grindstone or millstone
3. the texture or grain of stone
4. indomitable courage, toughness, or resolution
5. engineering an arbitrary measure of the size of abrasive particles used in a grinding wheel or other abrasive process

verb

1. to clench or grind together (two objects, esp the teeth)
2. to cover (a surface, such as icy roads) with grit

Grit

²

/ ɡrɪt /

noun

1. an informal word for Liberal

Derived Forms

• ˈgritless, adjective

Other Words From

• gritless adjective
• gritter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grit¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English gret, griet, grit, Old English grēot; cognate with German Griess, Old Norse grjōt “pebble, boulder”; grits

Word History and Origins

Origin of grit¹

Old English grēot; related to Old Norse grjōt pebble, Old High German grioz; see great , groats , gruel

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. grit one's teeth, to show tenseness, anger, or determination by or as if by clamping or grinding the teeth together.

Example Sentences

Through it all, Cher — who left her mother’s house when she was 16 — developed grit and resilience.

From Los Angeles Times

Transport for Greater Manchester said they would be gritting bus stations and interchanges, and running trams overnight to keep overhead lines clear of frost.

From BBC

Herbert was always the one Manley wanted on the mound at the end of a game because of his competitive grit.

From Los Angeles Times

Etiwanda Girls Basketball - Varsity Team - '24-'25: Recreating a New Identity with the same passion and grit!

From Los Angeles Times

Incoming national security advisor Waltz said Hegseth "has the grit" to make "real reform" happen at the Pentagon.

From BBC

Related Words

• daring
• fortitude
• guts
• moxie
• perseverance
• spirit
• spunk
• tenacity
• toughness