grate

[ɡreɪt]

grate Definition

• 1. to reduce something to small shreds by rubbing it against a rough or sharp surface
• 2. to make an unpleasant sound by rubbing against a hard surface
• 3. a 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

Synonyms for grate

• shred
• scrape
• scratch
• irritate
• annoy

Antonyms for grate

• smooth
• soothe
• please

Phrases with grate

• grate on someone's nerves

  to annoy or irritate someone

  Example

  His constant humming was starting to grate on my nerves.

• grate with

  to be in harsh contrast with something else

  Example

  The bright yellow walls grated with the dark blue carpet.

• grate cheese

  to shred cheese using a grater

  Example

  Can you please grate some cheese for the salad?

Origins of grate

from Old French 'grate', meaning 'a grating'

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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.'