graze

[ greyz ]

/ greɪz /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR graze ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), grazed, graz·ing.

to feed on growing grass and pasturage, as do cattle, sheep, etc.

Informal. to eat small portions of food, as appetizers or the like, in place of a full-sized meal or to snack during the course of the day in place of regular meals.

verb (used with object), grazed, graz·ing.

to feed on (growing grass).

to put cattle, sheep, etc., to feed on (grass, pastureland, etc.).

to tend (cattle, sheep, etc.) while they are at pasture.

Nearby words

grayson, graywacke, graywater, graywether, graz, graze, grazier, grazing, grazioso, grb, gre

Origin of graze

before 1000; Middle English grasen, Old English grasian, derivative of græs grass

Related forms

graze·a·ble, adjectivegraz·er, noun

Definition for graze (2 of 2)

graze

[ greyz ]

/ greɪz /

verb (used with object), grazed, graz·ing.

to touch or rub lightly in passing.

to scrape the skin from; abrade: The bullet just grazed his shoulder.

verb (used without object), grazed, graz·ing.

to touch or rub something lightly, or so as to produce slight abrasion, in passing: to graze against a rough wall.

noun

a touching or rubbing lightly in passing.

a slight scratch, scrape, or wound made in passing; abrasion.

Origin of graze

1595–1605; perhaps special use of graze¹; for the semantic shift compare French effleurer, derivative of fleur flower, in the same meaning

Related forms

graz·er, noungraz·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for graze

Their regional rivals are the nomadic Missiriya tribe, who come down from the north into Abyei so their cattle can graze.
Sudan's New Game-Changer|John Avlon|March 12, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The bull took a long curious look at the mustang who continued to graze peacefully.
Ticktock and Jim|Keith Robertson
Innumerable sheep, the familiar Cheviots and Southdowns, graze upon the wild scurvy-grass and sorrel.
World's War Events, Vol. I|Various
The herds or bands which started south in the fall months traveled more leisurely, with frequent halts to graze on rich pastures.
The Extermination of the American Bison|William T. Hornaday

Violette sprang madly forward, and I thought she had been wounded, but it was only a graze above the near fore-fetlock.
The Exploits Of Brigadier Gerard|Arthur Conan Doyle
Suh-tai's bow had been shot in two, and Red Morning had a graze that laid his cheek open.
The Trail Book|Mary Austin

British Dictionary definitions for graze (1 of 2)

graze

/ (ɡreɪz) /

verb

to allow (animals) to consume the vegetation on (an area of land), or (of animals, esp cows and sheep) to feed thus

(tr) to tend (livestock) while at pasture

informal to eat snacks throughout the day rather than formal meals

Southern African informal to eat

(intr) informal to switch between television channels while viewing without watching any channel for long

US to pilfer and eat sweets, vegetables, etc, from supermarket shelves while shopping

noun

Southern African informal a snack; something to eat

Word Origin for graze

Old English grasian, from græs grass; related to Old High German grasōn, Dutch grazen, Norwegian grasa

British Dictionary definitions for graze (2 of 2)

graze

/ (ɡreɪz) /

verb

(when intr, often foll by against or along) to brush or scrape (against) gently, esp in passing

(tr) to break the skin of (a part of the body) by scraping

noun

the act of grazing

a scrape or abrasion made by grazing

Derived Forms

grazer, noungrazingly, adverb

Word Origin for graze

C17: probably special use of graze 1; related to Swedish gräsa

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