What does graze mean?
Graze has several related but distinct uses. Its most traditional sense is to feed on grass, as livestock do when they are in a pasture. The word can also describe a person or animal moving lightly along or brushing against something, often without making a substantial impact. In a medical or physical context, to graze means to scrape the skin lightly, and the noun can refer to the resulting superficial injury. A second noun sense records the act of feeding or the act of lightly touching something. The word is useful because it links the everyday actions of animals and people: feeding at ground level, passing close by, and making only a slight contact. It appears in both British and American English, with no major regional distinction in its standard meanings.
To feed on grass or other vegetation; to move lightly along or beside something; to touch or brush something lightly; or to scrape or injure the skin lightly.
"The car grazed the barrier as it passed through the narrow gap."
The agricultural sense is transitive or intransitive, while the contact and injury senses usually take an object.
An act of feeding on grass; a light touch or glancing contact; or a superficial injury caused by scraping.
"The old wall showed a long graze where the vehicle had brushed against it."
In the injury sense, a graze is generally minor rather than a deep wound.
The plural grazes is used for individual superficial injuries, such as cuts or abrasions.
"The climber sustained several grazes on her arms during the fall."
One word can mean both snack on grass and brush past something so lightly that it barely touches it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Words that share this root
Related word forms
How graze is actually used
In the agricultural sense, graze is commonly used with livestock and pasture. In other contexts, it suggests a light, brief contact or movement, and the injury sense is usually minor.
Easily confused with graze
Graze means to feed on grass, lightly touch or pass along something, or lightly scrape the skin, whereas gaze means to look steadily and attentively.