# grit

/ˈɡɹɪt/ (US) · /ɡɹˈɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grit
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. small stones or sand

noun · CEFR B2

very small pieces of stone, sand, or dirt.

For teachers: small, loose particles of stone or sand; often used to describe abrasive material on roads or surfaces.

- The wind blew grit into my eyes while I was walking on the beach.
- Winter maintenance crews spread grit across the icy motorway to improve traction for morning commuters.

### 2. courage and determination

noun · CEFR B2

the strength of character that helps you continue even when things are very difficult.

For teachers: firmness of character; indomitable spirit or resilience in the face of hardship.

- It takes a lot of grit to finish a marathon when your legs are hurting.
- Psychologists often argue that grit is a better predictor of long-term success than innate intelligence or talent alone.

### 3. sandpaper coarseness

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a number that tells you how rough or smooth sandpaper is.

For teachers: a measure of the size of abrasive grains on a surface, where lower numbers indicate coarser material.

- Use a heavy grit sandpaper to remove the old paint from the door.
- The carpenter transitioned from a sixty-grit abrasive to a much finer grain to ensure a perfectly smooth finish before staining the wood.

### 4. Southern food

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a dish made from crushed corn, usually eaten for breakfast in the Southern US.

For teachers: a dish of coarsely ground corn or hominy boiled in water or milk, common in the Southern United States.

- We had a big breakfast of eggs, bacon, and cheesy grits.
- While traveling through Georgia, they enjoyed a traditional meal of shrimp and grits at a local diner.

Usage: Usually used in the plural form 'grits'.

### 5. to clench teeth

verb · CEFR B2

to press your top and bottom teeth together tightly, usually because you are angry or in pain.

For teachers: to clench or grind the teeth together, typically as a physical manifestation of determination, anger, or pain.

- He had to grit his teeth and ignore the pain in his ankle to finish the race.
- She gritted her teeth in frustration as the software crashed for the third time that afternoon.

Usage: Commonly used in the idiom 'grit one's teeth'.

### 6. to spread sand on roads

verb · CEFR B2 · British English

to spread sand or small stones on a road to make it less slippery.

For teachers: to spread grit or salt on an icy road or path to improve friction and safety.

- The council sent trucks to grit the main roads before the snowstorm started.
- Local authorities advised residents that secondary lanes would not be gritted until the primary transit routes were cleared.

## Examples

- It takes a lot of grit to finish a marathon.
- The coach praised the team's grit after they won the game despite several injuries.
- Success in high-pressure environments often depends less on innate talent than on the sustained grit required to overcome repeated setbacks over several years.

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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.