abrasive

[ uh-brey-siv, -ziv ]
See synonyms for: abrasiveabrasives on Thesaurus.com

noun
  1. any material or substance used for grinding, polishing, etc., as emery, pumice, or sandpaper.

adjective
  1. tending to abrade; causing abrasion; abrading.

  2. tending to annoy or cause ill will; overly aggressive:an abrasive personality.

Origin of abrasive

1
1870–75; <Latin abrās(us) (see abrasion) + -ive

Other words for abrasive

Other words from abrasive

  • a·bra·sive·ly, adverb
  • a·bra·sive·ness, noun
  • un·a·bra·sive, adjective
  • un·a·bra·sive·ly, adverb

Words Nearby abrasive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use abrasive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for abrasive

abrasive

/ (əˈbreɪsɪv) /


noun
  1. a substance or material such as sandpaper, pumice, or emery, used for cleaning, grinding, smoothing, or polishing

adjective
  1. causing abrasion; grating; rough

  2. irritating in manner or personality; causing tension or annoyance

Derived forms of abrasive

  • abrasiveness, noun

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