Grunt

/ɡrʌnt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A low, guttural sound made by a person or animal.

The grunt from the pig startled the farmer.

A soldier of low rank in the army.

The grunts in the platoon followed their commander without question.

verb

To make a low, guttural sound, often indicative of effort or struggle.

He grunted as he lifted the heavy box.

To work hard but without much enthusiasm or enjoyment.

She grunted through the tedious tasks of cleaning the house.

Middle English: from Old French 'gruntir' or from a Germanic source.

grunt work

Menial, hard, or unskilled tasks.

just a grunt

A common soldier without a leadership position.

grunt and groan

To make noises of discomfort or effort.

guttural

Relating to or produced in the throat.

gruntle

To put in a good humor or satisfied state.

grumbling

To complain or murmur in a low tone.

A soldier, especially an infantryman, without rank.

He's just a grunt on the front lines.

A low-level worker or intern in an organization.

I was just a grunt doing all the paperwork.