abrade

[ uh-breyd ]

verb (used with or without object)

, a·brad·ed, a·brad·ing.

1. to wear off or down by scraping or rubbing.
2. to scrape off.

abrade

/ əˈbreɪd /

verb

1. tr to scrape away or wear down by friction; erode

Derived Forms

• aˈbradant, noun
• aˈbrader, noun

Other Words From

• a·brada·ble adjective
• a·brader noun
• una·braded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of abrade¹

1670–80; < Latin abrādere, equivalent to ab- ab- + rādere to scrape

Word History and Origins

Origin of abrade¹

C17: from Latin abrādere to scrape away, from ab- ¹+ rādere to scrape

Example Sentences

One recent study suggests that many particles enter the water when you repeatedly open or close the cap, and tiny bits abrade.

From Science Daily

John "Sparky" Abrade, a 77-year-old retiree who lives in the community, said he nevertheless felt relieved when he saw the damage to his home, even though the windows were blown out and household items scattered about.

From Reuters

During one brawl, the editor Dan Lebental cuts again and again to Edgin stuck on the sidelines struggling to abrade his rope cuffs.

From New York Times

With no mangled sheet metal to puncture or abrade tires, there ought to be fewer blowouts.

From Washington Post

Mild yet ungentle, “Morning’s at Seven” — which borrows its title, ironically, from a cheery Robert Browning lyric — lets its characters politely abrade each other for the first two acts before tying up the story in a tidy comedic bow.

From New York Times