# grinding

/ˈɡɹaɪndɪŋ/ (US) · /ɡɹˈaɪndɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grinding
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. relentless and tiring

adjective · CEFR B2

describing something very difficult or painful that continues for a long time without stopping.

For teachers: describing a situation or process that is relentlessly taxing, oppressive, or burdensome over a long duration.

- Many families in the region live in grinding poverty with no hope of escape.
- The workers endured grinding shifts in the factory, where the heat and noise remained constant from dawn until dusk.

### 2. crushing or rubbing

noun · CEFR B1

the act of crushing something into small pieces or the harsh sound of two hard things rubbing together.

For teachers: the mechanical process of reducing a substance to particles or the abrasive sound produced by friction between surfaces.

- The grinding of the coffee beans woke everyone up in the house.
- The sudden grinding of metal against metal suggested that the car's brake pads had completely worn down.

### 3. repetitive work or gaming

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

doing the same boring task over and over again to reach a goal, especially in a job or a video game.

For teachers: the performance of repetitive, often tedious tasks to achieve incremental progress, particularly in professional or gaming contexts.

- I spent the whole weekend grinding in the game to reach level fifty.
- After months of corporate grinding, he decided to quit his desk job and pursue a career in the arts.

### 4. provocative dance

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

a style of dancing where two people rub their bodies closely together.

For teachers: a form of close, sexually suggestive dancing involving rhythmic pelvic friction between partners.

- The club was crowded with people grinding to the loud music.
- The security guards intervened when the grinding on the dance floor became too aggressive for the venue's policy.

## Examples

- The daily grinding of office life can be very tiring.
- After years of the corporate grinding, she finally saved enough money to start her own small business.
- The relentless grinding of the legislative process often discourages young activists who expect to see immediate results from their advocacy efforts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.