abrasive

[ uh-brey-siv, -ziv ]
/ əˈbreɪ sɪv, -zɪv /

noun

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

adjective

tending to abrade; causing abrasion; abrading.
tending to annoy or cause ill will; overly aggressive: an abrasive personality.

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Origin of abrasive

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

SYNONYMS FOR abrasive

2 harsh, rough, rasping.

OTHER WORDS FROM abrasive

a·bra·sive·ly, adverba·bra·sive·ness, nounun·a·bra·sive, adjectiveun·a·bra·sive·ly, adverb

Words nearby abrasive

abram, abranchiate, abraser, abrash, abrasion, abrasive, abrasiveness, abraxas, abrazo, abreact, abreaction
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for abrasiveness

British Dictionary definitions for abrasiveness

abrasive
/ (əˈbreɪsɪv) /

noun

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

adjective

causing abrasion; grating; rough
irritating in manner or personality; causing tension or annoyance

Derived forms of abrasive

abrasiveness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for abrasiveness (1 of 2)

abrasiveness
[ ə-brā′sĭv-nĭs ]

n.

The property of a substance that causes surface wear by friction.
The quality of being able to scratch or abrade another material.

Medical definitions for abrasiveness (2 of 2)

abrasive
[ ə-brā′sĭv ]

adj.

Causing abrasion.

n.

A material used to produce abrasion.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.