ENGLISH
REFERENCE

granite

n.
US //ˈɡɹænət// UK //ɡɹˈænɪt// gran·ite
  1. 1 the rock (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    a very hard, natural rock that is often grey, pink, or white and is used in buildings and for kitchen counters.

    a common, coarse-grained igneous rock consisting essentially of quartz, feldspar, and mica. Uncountable when referring to the material; countable when referring to specific geological types.

    Example

    The new kitchen has beautiful grey granite countertops that are very easy to clean.

    Example

    The cathedral was constructed from local granite, ensuring the structure could withstand centuries of harsh coastal weather without significant erosion.
  2. 2 toughness (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    a quality of being very strong, firm, or tough in character.

    unyielding firmness or endurance; a figurative extension of the rock's physical properties to human character or resolve.

    Example

    Behind his kind smile was a heart of granite that never gave up.

    Example

    The negotiator's outward politeness masked a will of granite, making it impossible for the opposing side to secure any meaningful concessions.
Origin

From French granit (“granite”), from Italian granito (“granite”), from granire (“to granulate”), from grano (“grain”), from Latin grānum (“grain”). Compare granita.

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

Last updated June 20, 2026