What does grassed mean?
“Grassed” has a straightforward literal meaning: covered with grass, as in “the path is grassed over” or “a grassed area.” It is also the past tense and past participle of the verb “grass,” meaning to cover something with grass. In informal British English, “grassed” can instead describe a person who is annoyed or irritated, and the related verb can mean to annoy someone or to inform on them. These meanings are idiomatic rather than entirely predictable from the ordinary noun “grass,” so context is important. The word is particularly useful when describing landscapes that have become overgrown or when expressing annoyance in an emphatic, conversational way. It belongs mainly to informal writing and speech when used in the “annoyed” sense, while its literal and participial uses are neutral and widely understood.
Covered with grass; commonly used in the expression “grassed over.” Informally and chiefly in British English, it also means annoyed or irritated.
"The lawn looked attractive, but the footpath was completely grassed over."
The annoyed sense is informal and conversational.
The past tense and past participle of “grass”: to cover with grass, to annoy, or to inform on someone, depending on context.
"The volunteers grassed the entrance to the new garden."
The senses meaning to annoy and to inform on are informal, with the latter especially associated with British and Commonwealth usage.
Grassed can mean literally carpeted in grass—or, in informal British English, thoroughly irritated.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does grassed come from?
“Grassed” was formed by adding the English past-participle ending -ed to “grass.” “Grass” comes from Old English græs, a Germanic word related to forms such as Dutch gras and German Gras, and the derived English words “grassy,” “grassland,” and “grassiness” share that origin. The informal meanings of the verb “grass,” including “to annoy” and “to inform on,” developed as idiomatic extensions rather than separate formations.
How grassed is actually used
The literal sense is neutral and often describes ground, paths, banks, or areas that have become covered in grass. The sense meaning annoyed is informal and particularly associated with British English. The verb senses “annoy” and “inform on” are also informal and should be used mainly in casual or colloquial contexts.
Easily confused with grassed
“Grassed” can mean covered with grass or, informally, annoyed, whereas “graced” means given favor or admiration.