noun
grate
GRAYT
Grate (noun) means a metal frame of bars used to hold fuel in a fireplace, or a metal grid that lets small things pass through while blocking larger ones. Example: “She stacked logs on the grate before lighting the fire.”
noun
1
A metal frame of bars used to hold fuel in a fireplace, or a metal grid that lets small things pass through while blocking larger ones.
"She stacked logs on the grate before lighting the fire."
verb
1
To shred food into small pieces by rubbing it across a grater.
"Grate the cheese before adding it to the sauce."
"He grated fresh ginger into the marinade."
2
To make a harsh, scraping sound; or, figuratively, to irritate someone.
"The chalk grated against the blackboard."
"His constant complaining really grates on me."
How to use grate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo shred food on a grater, to make a harsh scraping noise, or (as a noun) the metal bars in a fireplace.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "great" (meaning excellent) — they sound identical but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
grate cheese
grate on someone's nerves
fireplace grate
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Word forms
- Plural
- grates
- Third person singular
- grates
- Past tense
- grated
- Comparative
- more grate
- Superlative
- most grate
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She stacked logs on the _____ before lighting the fire.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin crata / Latin cratis, meaning a wickerwork frame or hurdle.
Related words
Rhymes for grate
See all rhymes for grate →Frequently asked questions
What does “grate” mean?
The word “grate” means a metal frame of bars used to hold fuel in a fireplace, or a metal grid that lets small things pass through while blocking larger ones. In plain terms, to shred food on a grater, to make a harsh scraping noise, or (as a noun) the metal bars in a fireplace.
How do you pronounce “grate”?
“Grate” is pronounced GRAYT (/ˈɡɹeɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “grate” in a sentence?
Here is “grate” used in a sentence: “She stacked logs on the grate before lighting the fire.”
What is another word for “grate”?
Words with a similar meaning to “grate” include grill.
What part of speech is “grate”?
Depending on how it is used, “grate” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “grate” come from?
The word “grate” comes from Medieval Latin. From Medieval Latin crata / Latin cratis, meaning a wickerwork frame or hurdle.
How many meanings does “grate” have?
“Grate” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a metal frame of bars used to hold fuel in a fireplace, or a metal grid that lets small things pass through while blocking larger ones.
