gravel
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“The car made a loud crunching noise as it drove over the gravel driveway.”
In context“The contractor recommended a specific grade of river gravel to ensure proper drainage beneath the new patio installation.”
UsageUsually uncountable when referring to the material in bulk.
- 02 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“The workers will gravel the garden path tomorrow morning.”
In context“The local council decided to gravel the rural access roads rather than paving them with expensive asphalt.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
v.to make someone feel annoyed or confused.
v.to irritate, vex, or perplex someone.
Simple“It really gravels me when people don't clean up after themselves.”
In context“The complexity of the legal documents seemed to gravel even the most experienced members of the firm.”
Teacher's tipThis figurative use is less common in modern British English and may feel slightly dated or regional to some speakers.
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.