noun
Uncommon
grinder
GRYN-duh
Grinder (noun) means a device or machine used to crush, grind, or sharpen something, such as a coffee grinder or an angle grinder. Example: “He used an angle grinder to smooth the metal edge.”
noun
1
A device or machine used to crush, grind, or sharpen something, such as a coffee grinder or an angle grinder.
"He used an angle grinder to smooth the metal edge."
"The coffee grinder finally broke after ten years of daily use."
2
A long sandwich, especially a toasted submarine-style sandwich.
"We ordered two Italian grinders for lunch."
3
Someone who works relentlessly hard, especially with modest but steady results.
"He's not the flashiest player, but he's a grinder who never stops hustling."
How to use grinder
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tool for grinding things, a type of long sandwich, or a person who works tirelessly.
UK vs US
"Grinder" for a submarine sandwich is mainly a New England US term.
Common pairings
coffee grinder
angle grinder
order a grinder
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Word forms
- Plural
- grinders
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He used an angle _____ to smooth the metal edge.
Etymology
From Old English grindere, formed from grind plus the agent suffix "-er" — simply "one who grinds."
Related words
Rhymes for grinder
See all rhymes for grinder →Frequently asked questions
What does “grinder” mean?
The word “grinder” means a device or machine used to crush, grind, or sharpen something, such as a coffee grinder or an angle grinder. In plain terms, a tool for grinding things, a type of long sandwich, or a person who works tirelessly.
How do you pronounce “grinder”?
“Grinder” is pronounced GRYN-duh (/ˈɡɹaɪndəɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “grinder” in a sentence?
Here is “grinder” used in a sentence: “He used an angle grinder to smooth the metal edge.”
What part of speech is “grinder”?
“Grinder” is a noun.
Where does the word “grinder” come from?
The word “grinder” comes from Old English. From Old English grindere, formed from grind plus the agent suffix "-er" — simply "one who grinds.".
Is “grinder” a common word?
“Grinder” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “grinder” have?
“Grinder” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device or machine used to crush, grind, or sharpen something, such as a coffee grinder or an angle grinder.
