noun
Uncommon
grit
griht
Grit (noun) means Small, hard particles such as sand, dirt, or grime. Example: “Grit from the road covered the windshield after the storm.”
noun
1
Small, hard particles such as sand, dirt, or grime.
"Grit from the road covered the windshield after the storm."
2
Courage, determination, and mental toughness in the face of difficulty.
"It took real grit for her to finish the marathon on an injured knee."
verb
1
To clench (the teeth), especially to endure pain or push through difficulty.
"He gritted his teeth and kept running through the pain."
How to use grit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither rough, sandy particles, or (more commonly today) the inner toughness to push through hardship.
Common pairings
show grit
grit your teeth
true grit
grit and determination
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Word forms
- Plural
- grits
- Third person singular
- grits
- Past tense
- gritted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ from the road covered the windshield after the storm.
Etymology
From Old English grēot, meaning coarse sand or gravel — the figurative sense of "toughness" or "courage" developed much later, likening a person's resolve to something hard and unyielding.
Related words
Rhymes for grit
See all rhymes for grit →Frequently asked questions
What does “grit” mean?
The word “grit” means small, hard particles such as sand, dirt, or grime. In plain terms, either rough, sandy particles, or (more commonly today) the inner toughness to push through hardship.
How do you pronounce “grit”?
“Grit” is pronounced griht (/ɡɹɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “grit” in a sentence?
Here is “grit” used in a sentence: “Grit from the road covered the windshield after the storm.”
What part of speech is “grit”?
Depending on how it is used, “grit” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “grit” come from?
The word “grit” comes from Old English. From Old English grēot, meaning coarse sand or gravel — the figurative sense of "toughness" or "courage" developed much later, likening a person's resolve to something hard and unyielding.
Is “grit” a common word?
“Grit” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “grit” have?
“Grit” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: small, hard particles such as sand, dirt, or grime.
