Word
gritty
Phoneticsgrit·ty, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡɹɪti/
UK/ɡɹˈɪti/
Definitions
01sandy texture
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. containing or covered with small, hard pieces of sand or stone.
adj. containing, consisting of, or resembling grit; having a rough, granular texture.
“The wind blew hard, leaving a gritty layer of dust on the windows.”
“After the storm, a gritty residue of salt and sand covered every surface of the coastal cottage, making the floors crunch underfoot.”
02harshly realistic
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. showing the difficult, dirty, or unpleasant parts of real life without making them look better.
adj. showing or having a lot of unpleasant details about crime, poverty, or violence in a way that feels very real.
“The director is famous for making gritty films about life in the city.”
“The novel offers a gritty portrayal of the underground economy, refusing to shy away from the brutal realities faced by its protagonists.”
03brave and determined
C1 · Advanced Literary
adj. having a lot of courage and not giving up, even when things are very hard.
adj. showing courage and resolve in the face of hardship or danger.
“It was a gritty performance by the team, who refused to lose.”
“The survivors showed a gritty determination to rebuild their community despite the lack of government support.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“We’re in a grungy New York – even Howard Hudson’s light design looks grey and gritty.” “Brad Pitt plays the unfeasibly handsome tent-sulker Achilles, Orlando Bloom is equally unfeasibly handsome as Paris, and Sean Bean is a gritty Odysseus.” Etymology
From grit + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domains
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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