noun
Uncommon
granite
GRAN-iht
Granite (noun) means a hard, speckled igneous rock made mainly of quartz and feldspar, widely used in construction and countertops. Example: “The kitchen island was topped with polished black granite.”
noun
1
A hard, speckled igneous rock made mainly of quartz and feldspar, widely used in construction and countertops.
"The kitchen island was topped with polished black granite."
"The old church was built from grey granite quarried in the nearby hills."
"We chose granite for the worktop because it resists heat and scratches well."
2
Toughness or an unyielding, hard-edged quality (figurative).
"Her expression was pure granite as she delivered the bad news."
"Beneath his gentle manner, there was a core of granite that nobody could move."
"The coach's voice had granite in it when she told the team to try again."
How to use granite
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA very hard, durable stone, often used for countertops and monuments; figuratively, something unbreakable or stern.
Common pairings
granite countertop
granite slab
face of granite
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Word forms
- Plural
- granites
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The kitchen island was topped with polished black _____.
Etymology
From Italian granito, "granite," literally "grained," from grano, "grain," from Latin granum.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for granite
See all rhymes for granite →Frequently asked questions
What does “granite” mean?
The word “granite” means a hard, speckled igneous rock made mainly of quartz and feldspar, widely used in construction and countertops. In plain terms, a very hard, durable stone, often used for countertops and monuments; figuratively, something unbreakable or stern.
How do you pronounce “granite”?
“Granite” is pronounced GRAN-iht (/ˈɡɹæn.ɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “granite” in a sentence?
Here is “granite” used in a sentence: “The kitchen island was topped with polished black granite.”
What part of speech is “granite”?
“Granite” is a noun.
Where does the word “granite” come from?
The word “granite” comes from Latin. From Italian granito, "granite," literally "grained," from grano, "grain," from Latin granum.
Is “granite” a common word?
“Granite” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “granite” have?
“Granite” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hard, speckled igneous rock made mainly of quartz and feldspar, widely used in construction and countertops.
What is the difference between granite and marble?
Granite is an igneous rock formed mainly of quartz and feldspar, giving it a speckled appearance and high hardness, while marble is a metamorphic rock formed from limestone and tends to have softer, veined patterns. Granite is generally more scratch- and heat-resistant, which is why it is popular for countertops.
Why is granite commonly used for countertops?
Granite is prized for countertops because it is extremely hard and durable, resisting scratches, heat, and everyday wear better than many other materials. Its natural speckled patterns also give each slab a distinctive look.
What does it mean when "granite" is used figuratively to describe a person?
Used figuratively, "granite" describes toughness or an unyielding, hard-edged quality, as in "granite determination" or "a face like granite." It draws on the rock's reputation for being extremely hard and difficult to break.
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