grounds
grounds Lexical Profile
grounds Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Factors, reasons, or logical bases forming a valid justification for an action, belief, or legal claim.
"The defense attorney argued that there were sufficient grounds to dismiss the case immediately."
An area of enclosed land surrounding and belonging to a large house, castle, university, or other institution.
"Visitors are welcome to stroll through the palace grounds during daylight hours."
Solid particles or sediment, especially of crushed coffee beans, that settle at the bottom of a liquid or remain in a filter after brewing.
"She emptied the used coffee grounds into the garden compost bin to enrich the soil."
Word Nuance & Usage
While 'ground' is the singular form referring to the surface of the earth, the plural form 'grounds' has specialized collective meanings—such as a justification for an action, an enclosed estate, or coffee sediment—and frequently takes a plural verb even when referring to a single reason or estate.
• Rhymes for grounds
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English 'grund', meaning 'bottom, foundation, abyss, or surface of the earth', derived from Proto-Germanic '*grunduz'.