grinding
adj. · n.-
1 relentless and tiring (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatedescribing something very difficult or painful that continues for a long time without stopping.
describing a situation or process that is relentlessly taxing, oppressive, or burdensome over a long duration.
ExampleMany families in the region live in grinding poverty with no hope of escape.
ExampleThe workers endured grinding shifts in the factory, where the heat and noise remained constant from dawn until dusk.
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2 crushing or rubbing (n.) B1 Intermediatethe act of crushing something into small pieces or the harsh sound of two hard things rubbing together.
the mechanical process of reducing a substance to particles or the abrasive sound produced by friction between surfaces.
ExampleThe grinding of the coffee beans woke everyone up in the house.
ExampleThe sudden grinding of metal against metal suggested that the car's brake pads had completely worn down.
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3 repetitive work or gaming (n.) C1 Advanced Informal Computingdoing the same boring task over and over again to reach a goal, especially in a job or a video game.
the performance of repetitive, often tedious tasks to achieve incremental progress, particularly in professional or gaming contexts.
ExampleI spent the whole weekend grinding in the game to reach level fifty.
ExampleAfter months of corporate grinding, he decided to quit his desk job and pursue a career in the arts.
- drudgery
- toil
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4 provocative dance (n.) C1 Advanced Informal Slanga style of dancing where two people rub their bodies closely together.
a form of close, sexually suggestive dancing involving rhythmic pelvic friction between partners.
ExampleThe club was crowded with people grinding to the loud music.
ExampleThe security guards intervened when the grinding on the dance floor became too aggressive for the venue's policy.
Inherited from Middle English gryndynge. By surface analysis, grind + -ing.