grit
grit Lexical Profile
grit Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Courage, resolve, and strength of character; unyielding perseverance in the pursuit of long-term goals.
"It took immense grit for the marathon runner to finish the race despite the pouring rain and leg cramps."
Small, loose particles of stone, sand, or gravel.
"After walking along the windy beach, we had to shake the grit out of our shoes."
The grade or measure of coarseness of an abrasive material, such as sandpaper, determined by the size and density of its embedded particles.
"The carpenter started smoothing the oak table with a coarse grit before switching to a finer sandpaper."
• verb
To clench or grind together firmly, especially the teeth, in order to endure pain, anger, or adversity.
"She gritted her teeth and continued climbing the steep trail despite her exhaustion."
British To spread sand, gravel, or rock salt on an icy road or path to improve traction.
"Municipal crews were out early to grit the highways before the morning commute."
• Rhymes for grit
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Old English 'greot', meaning sand, dust, or gravel, sharing a Proto-Germanic root with the word 'grout'. The figurative sense of unyielding courage and stamina emerged in American English in the early 19th century.