gritty
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
containing or covered with small, hard pieces of sand or stone.
containing, consisting of, or resembling grit; having a rough, granular texture.
Simple“The wind blew hard, leaving a gritty layer of dust on the windows.”
In context“After the storm, a gritty residue of salt and sand covered every surface of the coastal cottage, making the floors crunch underfoot.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
showing the difficult, dirty, or unpleasant parts of real life without making them look better.
showing or having a lot of unpleasant details about crime, poverty, or violence in a way that feels very real.
Simple“The director is famous for making gritty films about life in the city.”
In context“The novel offers a gritty portrayal of the underground economy, refusing to shy away from the brutal realities faced by its protagonists.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
having a lot of courage and not giving up, even when things are very hard.
showing courage and resolve in the face of hardship or danger.
Simple“It was a gritty performance by the team, who refused to lose.”
In context“The survivors showed a gritty determination to rebuild their community despite the lack of government support.”
Synonyms
From grit + -y.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.