# abrade

/æˈbɹeɪd/ (US) · /ɐbɹˈeɪd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abrade
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

to wear away a surface by rubbing it against something rough. It can also mean to hurt someone's feelings by being too harsh or rude.

For teachers: to wear away or erode a surface through friction; to cause physical damage or mental distress through harsh treatment. Often used in technical contexts regarding materials or in literary contexts regarding social interactions.

## Examples

- The rough stones abrade the skin of the hikers.
- The constant friction of the river current abrades the smooth rock into smaller pebbles over time.
- The critic's scathing review abrade the young artist's confidence, leaving him questioning whether his work was truly worth the public's attention.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.