# gritty

/ˈɡɹɪti/ (US) · /ɡɹˈɪti/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. sandy texture

adjective · CEFR B2

containing or covered with small, hard pieces of sand or stone.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. harshly realistic

adjective · CEFR B2

showing the difficult, dirty, or unpleasant parts of real life without making them look better.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. brave and determined

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

having a lot of courage and not giving up, even when things are very hard.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The movie is a gritty drama about life on the streets.
- The director chose a gritty, handheld filming style to make the crime story feel more authentic and immediate.
- While earlier adaptations of the novel focused on the romance, this version offers a gritty portrayal of the industrial revolution's impact on the working class.

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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.