grit

[ grit ]

/ grɪt /

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See synonyms for: grit / grits / gritted / gritting on Thesaurus.com

noun

abrasive particles or granules, as of sand or other small, coarse impurities found in the air, food, water, etc.

firmness of character; indomitable spirit; pluck: She has a reputation for grit and common sense.

a coarse-grained siliceous rock, usually with sharp, angular grains.

British. gravel.

sand or other fine grainy particles eaten by fowl to aid in digestion.

verb (used with object), grit·ted, grit·ting.

to cause to grind or grate together.

verb (used without object), grit·ted, grit·ting.

to make a scratchy or slightly grating sound, as of sand being walked on; grate.

OTHER WORDS FOR grit

2 resolution, fortitude, courage.

See synonyms for grit on Thesaurus.com

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Idioms about grit

grit one's teeth, to show tenseness, anger, or determination by or as if by clamping or grinding the teeth together.

Origin of grit

before 1000; Middle English gret, griet, grit,Old English grēot; cognate with German Griess,Old Norse grjōt pebble, boulder; see grits

OTHER WORDS FROM grit

gritless, adjectivegritter, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use grit in a sentence

He was helped in part to build the idea and the business through his grit.
Nana nabs $6M for an online academy and marketplace dedicated to appliance repair|Ingrid Lunden|November 12, 2020|TechCrunch
Giuliani also labeled Philadelphia Democrats “elite,” which may be a historic first and fighting words in this town that prides itself on its grit.
Inside Philadelphia’s vote-counting operation, where democracy continued calmly amid the storm outside|Karen Heller|November 5, 2020|Washington Post
One crucial lesson I have learned from my two years at the ’Tute is how to be a problem solver, through pure grit and commitment.
A front-row seat to #BlackLivesMatter|Katie McLean|October 20, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Sanding disks of various grit attach to the tool using stick-on adhesive or hook-and-loop fasteners.
Reliable random orbital sanders for your workshop|PopSci Commerce Team|October 9, 2020|Popular-Science

Both grit and conscientiousness had a bit of predictive power on some outcomes, which isn’t surprising since some critics argue that grit is basically just a fancy repackaging of the older concept of conscientiousness.
Why Endurance Athletes Feel Less Pain|Alex Hutchinson|October 7, 2020|Outside Online
After my crying spell stopped, I gritted my teeth, tucked my crutch under my right arm, and turned to my husband.
You’re Never ‘Cured’ of an Eating Disorder|Carrie Arnold|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He consulted with his family, made a through-gritted-teeth call to the frontrunner, and bowed out.
Plight of the Republican Presidential Race’s Zombie Candidates|Matt Bennett|January 19, 2012|DAILY BEAST
At the end, the would-be Washington is moved: “Gather your armies,” he says, through gritted teeth.
King of Offensive Political Attack Ads|Alex Berg|June 17, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Every time McCain played the role of old-school culture warrior, he seemed to do it through gritted teeth.
The Trouble With John McCain|Reihan Salam|February 6, 2010|DAILY BEAST
"What do you suppose I'm trying to do," gritted Mollie between clenched teeth.
The Outdoor Girls in the Saddle|Laura Lee Hope
His fists clenched upon sand, and it gritted between his fingers, sifted away.
Star Born|Andre Norton
I gritted my teeth at him, danced up and down, screaming an incoherent mockery and making antic faces.
Before Adam|Jack London
Barney's answer came after a moment through gritted teeth: "I'll walk out—but I'll get you for this!"
Children of the Whirlwind|Leroy Scott
"Ride up beside me and help me, or I shall let go," gritted Tad, holding to the fellow with all his strength.
The Pony Rider Boys on the Blue Ridge|Frank Gee Patchin

British Dictionary definitions for grit (1 of 2)

grit

/ (ɡrɪt) /

noun

small hard particles of sand, earth, stone, etc

Also called: gritstone any coarse sandstone that can be used as a grindstone or millstone

the texture or grain of stone

indomitable courage, toughness, or resolution

engineering an arbitrary measure of the size of abrasive particles used in a grinding wheel or other abrasive process

verb grits, gritting or gritted

to clench or grind together (two objects, esp the teeth)

to cover (a surface, such as icy roads) with grit

Derived forms of grit

gritless, adjective

Word Origin for grit

Old English grēot; related to Old Norse grjōt pebble, Old High German grioz; see great, groats, gruel

British Dictionary definitions for grit (2 of 2)

Grit

/ (ɡrɪt) /

noun, adjective Canadian

an informal word for Liberal

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

grit

OTHER WORDS FOR grit

Idioms about grit

Origin of grit

OTHER WORDS FROM grit

Words related to grit

How to use grit in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for grit (1 of 2)

Derived forms of grit

Word Origin for grit

British Dictionary definitions for grit (2 of 2)