adj

grassroots

GRAHS-roots

adj

Coming from ordinary people at a local level, rather than from leaders or organizations at the top.

"The campaign was powered by grassroots volunteers, not big donors."

"It started as a grassroots movement before spreading nationwide."

How to Use Grassroots

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes something started and driven by everyday people rather than officials or big organizations.

Common pairings

grassroots movement grassroots support grassroots level

more grassroots comparative, most grassroots superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The campaign was powered by _____ volunteers, not big donors.

From grass + roots — the image of roots at the base of a plant, i.e. the ordinary base of society.

roots boots toots shoots