Grit

/ɡrɪt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

Courage and resolve; strength of character.

Despite the setbacks, her grit kept her pursuing her dreams.

Small, loose particles of stone or sand.

The road was covered in grit that made the ride bumpy.

A coarse substance used for grinding or cleaning.

The carpenter used grit paper to smooth the wood surface.

verb

To clench (the teeth) in determination.

He gritted his teeth and pushed through the pain.

Middle English 'grit' meaning coarse particles, later extended to mean firmness of character.

grit your teeth

To endure a painful or difficult situation with determination.

grit one's way through

To navigate through difficulties by sheer determination.

gritty

Having a rough or coarse texture; can also mean showing courage and resolve.

gritstone

A type of hard, coarse-grained rock typically used for building.

A tough, motivated individual.

That kid has a lot of grit for someone so young.

To handle difficult situations without giving up.

He really grit through that tough workout.