Word
graze
US/ˈɡɹeɪz/
UK/ɡɹˈeɪz/
Definition
v. to eat grass or other plants in a field. You use this when talking about animals like cows or sheep, or when you eat small amounts of food throughout the day.
v. to feed on growing herbage, such as grass or pasture. When applied to humans, it describes the habit of eating small, frequent snacks rather than structured meals.
Examples
“The sheep graze peacefully in the green field.”
“Instead of eating a full lunch, she prefers to graze on healthy snacks throughout the afternoon.”
“The cattle were permitted to graze across the common land, a practice that maintained the grass height and supported the local ecosystem's biodiversity.”
Examples
simple
“The sheep graze peacefully in the green field.”
contextual
“Instead of eating a full lunch, she prefers to graze on healthy snacks throughout the afternoon.”
complex
“The cattle were permitted to graze across the common land, a practice that maintained the grass height and supported the local ecosystem's biodiversity.”
Usage
Intransitive when describing the general act of feeding; transitive when specifying the land being fed upon.
Real-World Examples
“And these effects rise back above ground to influence plant growth and the animals that graze there.” “Palmero – Made on the island of La Palma, Palmero cheese is made from unpasteurised goat’s milk who are allowed to graze year round on wild plants.” Etymology
From Old English grasian (“to feed on grass”), from græs (“grass”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/graze