Word
graft
US/ˈɡɹæft/
UK/ɡɹˈɑːft/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. hard work, especially work that is tiring or difficult. In a different context, it can also mean using your power in a dishonest way to get money.
n. hard physical or mental labour; alternatively, the acquisition of money or advantage through dishonest or illegal means in politics or business. Often carries a British colloquial nuance when referring to work.
Examples
“Success in this industry requires years of hard graft.”
“The investigation revealed a deep-seated culture of graft and bribery within the city's construction department.”
Examples
simple
“Success in this industry requires years of hard graft.”
contextual
“The investigation revealed a deep-seated culture of graft and bribery within the city's construction department.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to hard work or political corruption; countable in medical or botanical contexts.
Real-World Examples
“Prime Minister Balendra Shah, 36, rose to power this year on the back of youth anger with graft and mismanagement.” “But in cases of extensive burns, there may not always be enough healthy skin to graft.” Etymology
From Middle English graffe, from Old French greffe (“stylus”), from Latin graphium (“stylus”), from Ancient Greek γραφείον (grapheíon), from γράφειν (gráphein, “to write”); probably akin to English carve. So named from the resemblance of a scion or shoot to a pointed pencil. Doublet of graphium. Compare graphic, grammar.
From Middle Dutch graft (“canal”), from graven (“dig”). The contemporary senses “depth of digging blade” and “narrow spade” may have a separate history, but this is uncertain. Compare Old English grafet (“trench”), Old Norse grǫft (“the action of digging”). Attested from the 17th century. Doublet of gracht.
Uncertain. Some lexicographers suggest an extended use of Etymology 2, above, expanding from “digging” to work more generally, and from there to dishonest work. Others, however, suggest an extension from Etymology 1, shifting from “a shoot or scion” to the notion of corruption through the idea of excrescence.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/graft