Grit
/ɡrɪt/
Definitions
3 meaningsLoose particles of stone or sand.
/ɡrɪt/
Small, loose particles of sand or stone.
The wind blew grit into our eyes.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're at the beach, and you get some sand in your shoes. That sand is like grit – tiny, rough pieces. It's the stuff you might find on a dusty road or in a gritty film!
👶 For kids: Tiny pieces of sand or dirt!
More Examples
He sprinkled grit on the icy sidewalk to prevent falls.
The abrasive grit made the metal surface smooth.
How It's Used
"The beach was covered in grit."
"The workers used grit to provide traction on the icy road."
Mental toughness and courage.
/ɡrɪt/
Courage and resolve; strength of character.
It takes grit to overcome significant challenges.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to finish a really hard puzzle, and you just keep going, even when it's tough. That inner strength that helps you keep going is grit! It’s about having the guts to stick with things.
👶 For kids: Being brave and not giving up when things are hard.
More Examples
Her grit and determination were evident in her success.
The team displayed unwavering grit during the final game.
How It's Used
"She showed incredible grit in the face of adversity."
"The company valued grit and determination in its employees."
To cover a surface with grit.
/ɡrɪt/
To spread grit on a surface.
The city council decided to grit the roads before the snowstorm hit.
💡 Simply: To 'grit' something means to sprinkle or spread small pieces of something, like sand or gravel. Think of the road workers spreading grit on the road during the winter.
👶 For kids: To put tiny pieces of sand on something, like the road when it's icy.
More Examples
The workers gritted the parking lot to make it safe for drivers.
We'll grit the walkway to prevent slips.
How It's Used
"They gritted the icy roads to improve traction."
Synonyms
Abrasive
Dirt
Gravel
Grime
Courage
Determination
Fortitude
Idioms & expressions
bite the grit
To show determination in a difficult situation.
"When the going got tough, he decided to bite the grit and keep going until he succeeded."
From Old English *grēot*, meaning 'coarse sand, gravel'.
Historically, 'grit' has referred to coarse particles, but the figurative sense of courage emerged in the 19th century.
Memory tip
Think of the grit you feel between your teeth when you eat something sandy.