English Reference
Adjective

abrasive

adj.
C1 Advanced US /əˈbɹeɪsɪv/ UK /ɐbɹˈeɪsɪv/ abra·sive UK spelling abrasives Geology

adj.describing a person who is rude or unkind in a way that hurts other people's feelings. It can also describe a rough surface that can rub something away.

adj.characterised by a harsh, irritating, or overly aggressive manner in social interactions. When describing physical properties, refers to a substance capable of polishing or cleaning a hard surface by rubbing or grinding.


SIMPLE

Her abrasive personality makes it difficult for her to keep friends.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager's abrasive management style led to high staff turnover and low morale within the department.

COMPLEX

While his technical skills were beyond reproach, his abrasive approach to peer review often alienated the very colleagues whose support he needed for the project's success.

Usage

Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'seem', or 'become'.

The old man has been an abrasive and emotionally absent parent, but appears to believe his literary talent excuses that.

The Guardian· 13 Aug 2026

Natural chewing, abrasive foods, or even swallowed grit can produce similar patterns.

ScienceDaily· 8 Jun 2026

From Medieval Latin abrāsīvus

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin la-med abrāsīvus
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Frequent
Updated