noun
Uncommon
grunt
gruhnt
Grunt (noun) means a short, low, snorting sound, often expressing effort, annoyance, or reluctance. Example: “He gave a grunt of acknowledgment without looking up.”
noun
1
A short, low, snorting sound, often expressing effort, annoyance, or reluctance.
"He gave a grunt of acknowledgment without looking up."
2
An ordinary soldier or low-ranking worker who does the hard, unglamorous tasks.
"The grunts on the ground rarely get the credit officers do."
verb
1
To make a short, low, snorting sound.
"The weightlifter grunted as he heaved the bar overhead."
How to use grunt
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA short grunting sound, or slang for a low-ranking soldier or worker doing the grunt work.
When to use it
The "low-ranking worker/soldier" sense is informal/slang.
Common pairings
grunt work
give a grunt
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like grunt.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- grunts
- Third person singular
- grunts
- Past tense
- grunted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He gave a _____ of acknowledgment without looking up.
Etymology
From Old English grunnettan, meaning to grunt, ultimately imitative of the sound itself.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for grunt
See all rhymes for grunt →Frequently asked questions
What does “grunt” mean?
The word “grunt” means a short, low, snorting sound, often expressing effort, annoyance, or reluctance. In plain terms, a short grunting sound, or slang for a low-ranking soldier or worker doing the grunt work.
How do you pronounce “grunt”?
“Grunt” is pronounced gruhnt (/ɡɹʌnt/ in IPA).
How do you use “grunt” in a sentence?
Here is “grunt” used in a sentence: “He gave a grunt of acknowledgment without looking up.”
What part of speech is “grunt”?
Depending on how it is used, “grunt” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “grunt” come from?
The word “grunt” comes from Old English. From Old English grunnettan, meaning to grunt, ultimately imitative of the sound itself.
Is “grunt” a common word?
“Grunt” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “grunt” have?
“Grunt” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a short, low, snorting sound, often expressing effort, annoyance, or reluctance.
