View synonyms for grate

grate

[ greyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a frame of metal bars for holding fuel when burning, as in a fireplace, furnace, or stove.
a framework of parallel or crossed bars, used as a partition, guard, cover, or the like; grating.
a fireplace.

verb (used with object)

, grat·ed, grat·ing.

to furnish with a grate or grates.

grate

[ greyt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

, grat·ed, grat·ing.

to have an irritating or unpleasant effect:
His constant chatter grates on my nerves.
to make a sound of, or as if of, rough scraping; rasp.
to sound harshly; jar:
to grate on the ear.
to scrape or rub with rough or noisy friction, as one thing on or against another.

verb (used with object)

, grat·ed, grat·ing.

to reduce to small particles by rubbing against a rough surface or a surface with many sharp-edged openings:
to grate a carrot.
to rub together with a harsh, jarring sound:
to grate one's teeth.
to irritate or annoy.
Synonyms: bug, rile, irk, nettle, gall, vex
Archaic. to wear down or away by rough friction.

grate

/ ɡreɪt /

noun

a framework of metal bars for holding fuel in a fireplace, stove, or furnace
See fireplace
a less common word for fireplace
See grating
another name for grating 1
mining a perforated metal screen for grading crushed ore

verb

tr to provide with a grate or grates

grate

/ ɡreɪt /

verb

tr to reduce to small shreds by rubbing against a rough or sharp perforated surface
to grate carrots
to scrape (an object) against something or (objects) together, producing a harsh rasping sound, or (of objects) to scrape with such a sound
intr; foll by on or upon to annoy

noun

a harsh rasping sound

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Other Words From

grateless adjective
gratelike adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of grate¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Medieval Latin grāta “a grating, lattice,” variant of crāta, derivative of Latin crāt- (stem of crātis ) “wickerwork, hurdle”; crate

Origin of grate²

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English graten “to reduce to powder, crumble, grate,” from Old French grater, from Germanic; compare German kratzen “to scratch,” Swedish kratta “to rake”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of grate¹

C14: from Old French grate, from Latin crātis hurdle

Origin of grate²

C15: from Old French grater to scrape, of Germanic origin; compare Old High German krazzōn

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Example Sentences

The dress, which was created by William Travilla, was famously worn by Monroe as she stood over a subway grate.

From The Daily Beast

It was kind of like when you walk over a grate and you can hear the subway barreling in.

From The Daily Beast

I occasionally bring it right to the table so people can grate their own.

From The Daily Beast

Preheat the grill to high heat and brush the grate with oil or spray with nonstick cooking spray.

From The Daily Beast

If you do not have a food processor, grate by hand on a box grater.

From The Daily Beast

Cheese is now eaten with apple puddings and pies; but is there any nook in England where they still grate it over plum pudding?

From Project Gutenberg

The fire in the rusty grate had been allowed to die out, and its cold grey ashes strewed the hearth.

From Project Gutenberg

Peter came in and lighted the gas, and put more coal on the grate, and said Sam had gone to the station.

From Project Gutenberg

The rain plashed against the windows, a coal fell through the grate and dropped upon the fender.

From Project Gutenberg

The size of the flue for an ordinary grate is 149 in.; for a kitchen stove 1414 in.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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grassy G-rated

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