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abrasive

2 synonyms and 0 antonyms for abrasive, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Rough enough to grind or wear away a surface through friction.

Synonyms

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

abradant abrasive material

How to use abrasive

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

abrasive personality abrasive manner mildly abrasive

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin abrasivus, built on the same root as "abrasion" and "abrade."

Full origin of abrasive →

Frequently asked questions

What does “abrasive” mean?

The word “abrasive” means rough enough to grind or wear away a surface through friction. In plain terms, either something physically rough enough to scrape a surface, or a person whose manner is unpleasantly harsh.

How do you pronounce “abrasive”?

“Abrasive” is pronounced uh-BRAY-sihv (/əˈbɹeɪ.sɪv/ in IPA).

How do you use “abrasive” in a sentence?

Here is “abrasive” used in a sentence: “The cleaning pad has an abrasive side for tough stains.”

What part of speech is “abrasive”?

Depending on how it is used, “abrasive” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “abrasive” come from?

The word “abrasive” comes from Medieval Latin. Borrowed from Medieval Latin abrasivus, built on the same root as "abrasion" and "abrade.".

Is “abrasive” a common word?

“Abrasive” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “abrasive” have?

“Abrasive” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: rough enough to grind or wear away a surface through friction.

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.