grate Definition
- 1to reduce something to small shreds by rubbing it against a rough or sharp surface
- 2to make an unpleasant sound by rubbing against a hard surface
- 3a frame of metal bars used as a barrier
Using grate: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "grate" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
She grated the cheese for the pizza.
Example
The car's brakes were starting to grate.
Example
The grate on the window prevented the thief from entering the house.
grate Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with grate
Example
His constant humming was starting to grate on my nerves.
Example
The bright yellow walls grated with the dark blue carpet.
Example
Can you please grate some cheese for the salad?
Origins of grate
from Old French 'grate', meaning 'a grating'
Summary: grate in Brief
The term 'grate' [ɡreɪt] can be used as a verb or a noun. As a verb, it means to shred something into small pieces by rubbing it against a rough surface or to make an unpleasant sound by rubbing against a hard surface. As a noun, it refers to a frame of metal bars used as a barrier. The phrase 'grate on someone's nerves' means to annoy or irritate someone, while 'grate with' means to be in harsh contrast with something else. An example of its usage is 'She grated the cheese for the pizza.'
