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Definition of emery

emery

/ˈɛm.ə.ɹi/
em · er · y
Plural:emeries
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emery Lexical Profile

emery Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A dark, granular mineral substance composed mainly of corundum mixed with magnetite or hematite, widely used as an abrasive.

Example

"The machinist used a piece of emery cloth to smooth down the rough edges of the steel pipe."

2

A fine powder or dust made from this rock, used for polishing, grinding, or shaping hard surfaces.

Example

"She applied a layer of fine emery to the buffing wheel before polishing the gemstone."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for emery

• Rhymes for emery

• Nearby Words

emerald falls
emerald swift
emerald tree boa
emery
emilia
emmental
empanada

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old French 'esmeri', derived from Italian 'smeriglio', which ultimately traces back to the ancient Greek 'smyris', meaning 'a rubbing powder'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Emery. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 17, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/emery
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