grit

[grit]

noun

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

2. firmness of character; indomitable spirit; pluck.

   She has a reputation for grit and common sense.

   Synonyms: courage, fortitude, resolution

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

4. British.,  gravel.

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

verb (used with object)

gritted, gritting 

1. to cause to grind or grate together.

verb (used without object)

gritted, gritting 

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

grit

¹

/ ɡrɪt /

noun

1. small hard particles of sand, earth, stone, etc

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

3. the texture or grain of stone

4. indomitable courage, toughness, or resolution

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

verb

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

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

Grit

²

/ ɡrɪt /

noun

1. an informal word for Liberal

Other Word Forms

• gritless adjective
• gritter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grit¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of grit¹

Old English grēot; related to Old Norse grjōt pebble, Old High German grioz; see _great , _groats , _gruel

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

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

Example Sentences

Nobody can claim it was a thing of wonder, but it was a performance built on grit and it was a point that could matter a great deal in the next few months.

From BBC

Speaking about the new series, he added: "You will see some amazing stories of perseverance, resilience, grit and determination and some wonderful and inspiring young people - so it is exciting."

From BBC

The grit and determination to fight for every ball has been on display all year.

From BBC

"My parents are very proud of me and tell me all the time. I'm very working class, we have the grit and we try our hardest."

From BBC

"Her grit and determination are definitely inspiring and sometimes quite humbling."

From BBC

Related Words

• daring 
• fortitude 
• guts www.thesaurus.com
• moxie 
• perseverance 
• spirit 
• spunk 
• tenacity 
• toughness