gritty

American  

[grit-ee] / ˈgrɪt i /

adjective

grittier, grittiest

1. consisting of, containing, or resembling grit; sandy.

2. resolute and courageous; plucky.

---

gritty British  

/ ˈɡrɪtɪ /

adjective

1. courageous; hardy; resolute

2. of, like, or containing grit

---

Other Word Forms

• grittily adverb
• grittiness noun
• ungritty adjective

Etymology

Origin of gritty

First recorded in 1590–1600; grit + -y ¹

Example Sentences

However this story ends, U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn has to go down as one of the greatest, grittiest competitors in the history of her sport or any other.

From The Wall Street Journal

Backed by a tweaked serve, he did not drop a set until a gritty semi-final in which he was racked by full body cramps and taken to the limit by Zverev.

From BBC

The floors aren’t nearly as gritty, and the windows in the main room are now letting in almost double the light.

From Literature

The Patriots are targeting a record seventh Super Bowl following their gritty, low-scoring victory in Colorado.

From Barron's

Ferragamo, the youngest of four children, grew up in Wilmington, which was a gritty, working-class city in the 1960s, much as it is today.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dusty
• grainy
• rough