What does grit mean?
Grit most commonly means the determination and endurance needed to continue despite difficulty, hardship, or discouragement. It is especially associated with people who remain persistent when circumstances are unfavorable, and the word often carries a strongly positive, approving connotation: saying that someone has grit implies that they possess courage, resilience, and a willingness to endure. Grit also has a literal meaning for small hard particles of stone, sand, metal, or similar material, as well as for a rough or abrasive surface. In those senses, it may describe dirt on a floor, debris beneath machinery, or the texture of sandpaper. As a verb, grit refers to grinding the teeth together, usually because of discomfort, frustration, or forceful determination. The word is used in both formal and informal English, but its figurative sense is particularly familiar in public discussion, education, sport, and workplace contexts.
Determination, courage, and perseverance in the face of difficulty; also, small hard particles of an abrasive material, a rough surface, or gravel.
"It took real grit to start over after the failure."
The abstract noun is normally uncountable in British and American English. The plural grits is used for separate particles and, especially in American English, for coarsely ground grain.
To grind one's teeth together, especially as an expression of frustration, discomfort, or determination.
"He gritted his teeth and continued working through the storm."
This verb is relatively uncommon in everyday use and is often used figuratively with gritted teeth or teeth-gritting expressions.
Grit is normally uncountable when it means determination. The plural grits can refer to separate hard particles and, particularly in American English, to a preparation of coarsely ground grain such as corn.
"The flood left grits of sand and gravel across the kitchen floor."
The word grit began with the stuff between paving stones; its figurative sense, determination, came much later.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does grit come from?
Grit descends from Old English grēot, meaning “gravel,” “sand,” or “small stones,” and ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root associated with gravel and coarse particles. Related cognates include Dutch grind, German Gries, and the Scandinavian words grus and grjot. The figurative sense meaning firmness of character developed much later from the image of something hard, resistant, and difficult to break down.
Related word forms
How grit is actually used
In its figurative sense, grit is generally positive and commonly appears in contexts involving hardship, effort, or adversity. The noun is normally uncountable when referring to determination, while the plural grits can refer to individual particles or to coarsely ground grain, especially in American English.
Easily confused with grit
Grit can mean small abrasive particles, whereas a grate is a framework of bars or a cooking surface, though grate can also mean to irritate.
Grit refers to determination or abrasive particles, while grist traditionally means grain being ground or a supply of something.