Word
gravel
Phoneticsgrav·el, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡɹævəɫ/
UK/ɡɹˈævəl/
Definitions
01small stones
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Science
n. small, loose pieces of rock often used to make paths or roads.
n. small fragments of rock, typically ranging from 2 to 64 mm, used for road beds, railway ballast, or landscaping.
“The car made a loud crunching noise as it drove over the gravel driveway.”
“The contractor recommended a specific grade of river gravel to ensure proper drainage beneath the new patio installation.”
Usage
Usually uncountable when referring to the material in bulk.
02to cover with stones
C1 · Advanced Technical
v. to put a layer of small stones on a surface like a road.
v. to apply a layer of gravel to a surface, such as a path or roadbed.
“The workers will gravel the garden path tomorrow morning.”
“The local council decided to gravel the rural access roads rather than paving them with expensive asphalt.”
03to annoy or puzzle
C2 · Proficiency Informal
v. to make someone feel annoyed or confused.
v. to irritate, vex, or perplex someone.
“It really gravels me when people don't clean up after themselves.”
“The complexity of the legal documents seemed to gravel even the most experienced members of the firm.”
Teaching tip
This figurative use is less common in modern British English and may feel slightly dated or regional to some speakers.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“To get gravel for Circleville’s roads, workers dug into a nearby hillock.” “There was only white gravel with buddleia where the “great river” was supposed to be.” “The most famous, and most visited of these is the gravel and rock mindscape at Ryoanji Temple.” Etymology
From Middle English gravel, grauel, from Old French gravele, diminutive of grave (“gravel, seashore”), from Medieval Latin grava, ultimately from Proto-Celtic grāwā (“gravel, pebbles”) (compare Breton groa, Cornish grow, Welsh gro), from Proto-Indo-European gʰroh₁weh₂, from *gʰreh₁w- (“to grind”). Compare also Old English græfa (“coal”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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