Word
grunt
US/ˈɡɹənt/
UK/ɡɹˈʌnt/
Definitions
01a short, low sound made by a person or animal
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. A short, deep sound made in the throat, often when someone is lifting something heavy, feeling pain, or showing they are annoyed.
n. A low, guttural phonation produced by the sudden release of breath, typically signifying physical strain, involuntary response to discomfort, or a non-verbal expression of surliness.
“The weightlifter let out a loud grunt as he lifted the heavy bar.”
“The only response from the exhausted hiker was a noncommittal grunt when asked if he could continue the climb.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'give' or 'let out'.
Antonyms
02to make a short, low sound
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. To make a short, low sound in your throat instead of speaking clearly.
v. To emit a deep, short sound characteristic of a pig or a human under physical pressure; often used to describe a lack of articulate communication.
“He didn't say hello, he just grunted and walked past me.”
“The pigs grunted contentedly while rooting through the damp soil for food.”
Usage
Can be used as a reporting verb in dialogue.
Antonyms
03a low-level worker or soldier
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Military Informal · Slang
n. A person who does hard, boring, or physical work that is not seen as important, often at the bottom of a group.
n. A low-level worker who performs routine, menial, or physically demanding tasks. Often carries a derogatory or dismissive connotation regarding the worker's status or intellectual contribution.
Español:currito
“I started as a grunt in the warehouse before I was promoted to manager.”
“The senior executives made the decisions while the grunts in the mailroom handled the daily logistics.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrase 'grunt work' to describe the tasks themselves.
Pitfall
He is a grunt worker.
He is a grunt.
While 'grunt work' is a common compound noun, the person is usually just called a 'grunt' in slang contexts.
Real-World Examples
“Ever since the earliest known recording of whale song was made in 1949 , researchers have been captivated by the wails, rumbles, clicks, grunts and squeals of their communication.” “They are often hired to do the grunt work on a specific case, with the understanding that there is no commitment to keep them on if business lags or the project ends.” “About a decade ago, a pair of studies found that grunting increased force production in athletes squeezing a hand-gripper and performing tennis shots, the latter finding” “Like many other people, I have a playlist of activity-specific grunts and gasps: When I’m heaving myself out of a chair, I sound like Rafael Nadal returning a volley; when I’m reaching for something, I release a wheezy “ooof.” Etymology
From Middle English grunten, from Old English grunnettan (“to grunt”), from Proto-West Germanic grunnattjan, from Proto-Germanic grunnatjaną (“to grunt”), frequentative of Proto-Germanic grunnōną (“to grunt”), from Proto-Indo-European gʰrun- (“to shout”). Cognate with German grunzen (“to grunt”), Danish grynte (“to grunt”). The noun senses are all instances of zero derivation from the verb.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. grunt level
02. grunt work
Domain
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/grunt
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0