grass
A1Neutral to informal (depending on sense). The plant meaning is neutral/formal. The 'informer' meaning is slang. The 'marijuana' meaning is informal/slang.
Definition
Meaning
A common green plant with narrow leaves growing naturally in soil, covering much of the ground in fields, lawns, and meadows.
Informal British term for a police informer; slang for marijuana; the area of ground covered by grass (e.g., 'Keep off the grass'); can also refer to a basic element or foundation (e.g., 'grassroots movement').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word operates primarily as a non-count noun for the plant collectively ('cut the grass'), but can be count noun for a species ('a hardy grass'). Key metaphorical extensions relate to informants (UK), marijuana, and foundational levels of society/organizations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Major difference: 'grass' as a noun meaning 'police informer' is primarily British slang. In US slang, 'snitch' or 'stool pigeon' is used. The phrase 'not let the grass grow under one's feet' is common in both. 'Grass' for marijuana is common in both, but perhaps slightly more established in UK usage.
Connotations
In both: generally positive connotations of nature, peace, and simplicity ('green grass'). In UK: strong negative connotation when meaning 'informer' (betrayal).
Frequency
As the plant, extremely high frequency in both varieties. The slang sense 'informer' is medium frequency in UK informal contexts, near-zero in US. 'Marijuana' sense is medium frequency in informal contexts in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N (uncountable)N (countable, for type)V + grass (e.g., to grass on sb [UK])ADJ + grass (e.g., wet grass)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The grass is always greener on the other side.”
- “Don't let the grass grow under your feet.”
- “Go to grass! (dated, meaning 'go to pasture' or 'retire')”
- “Snake in the grass (a hidden enemy).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in 'grassroots marketing' (targeting the general public) or landscaping contexts.
Academic
In botany, ecology, agriculture (specific species, photosynthesis, ecosystems).
Everyday
Very high. Gardening, weather ('The grass is wet'), leisure ('sit on the grass'), complaints ('The grass needs cutting').
Technical
Botany: member of the family Poaceae. Sports: specific turf types for football/tennis pitches (e.g., Bermuda grass).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He was afraid his former mates would find out he had grassed them up.
- She refused to grass on her brother to the authorities.
American English
- (Rare in this sense) In US films, characters might say 'He snitched,' not 'He grassed.'
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use. 'Grassily' is not idiomatic.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use.)
adjective
British English
- They sat on the grass bank by the river.
- The grass verge was overgrown.
American English
- The grass court at the tournament was in perfect condition.
- They had a grass landing strip for the small plane.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The grass in the park is very green.
- Our dog likes to run on the grass.
- I cut the grass every Saturday.
- After the rain, the grass smelled fresh and clean.
- We spread a blanket on the dry grass and had a picnic.
- He warned the children to keep off the newly seeded grass.
- Some grasses, like bamboo, can grow incredibly quickly.
- The scandal broke after an anonymous tip-off from a grass within the organization.
- The policy was changed due to pressure from the grassroots of the party.
- The ecological study focused on the role of native grasses in preventing soil erosion.
- He was ostracised by his criminal associates after it was discovered he had been grassing for the police for years.
- The metaphor of 'greener grass' is often a symptom of chronic dissatisfaction.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
GRASS: **G**reen **R**ugs **A**cross **S**oft **S**oil.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS GROWING GRASS ('Don't let the grass grow under your feet' = don't delay). LIFE/OPPORTUNITY IS A FIELD OF GRASS ('greener pastures'). BETRAYAL IS A SNEAKY PLANT ('snake in the grass').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'трава' (trava) when referring to herbs or weeds in a general sense. 'Grass' is specifically the lawn/meadow plant. The Russian 'газон' (gazon) is closer but less frequent. The British slang 'to grass on someone' has no direct single-word equivalent; use 'доносить' (donosit').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'a grass' incorrectly (e.g., 'I saw a grass' is wrong for a single plant; use 'a blade of grass'). Overusing countable form for types ('grasses' is correct for species). Confusing UK slang 'grass' (informer) with the plant in sensitive contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In British English, 'grass' can slangily refer to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Usually uncountable when referring to the green covering ('I cut the grass'). It is countable when referring to different species ('Wheat and barley are important grasses').
It refers to the most basic level of an organization, community, or movement, especially as distinct from the leadership. E.g., 'grassroots support' means support from ordinary people.
It's part of the BATH vowel set. In Southern British English, words like 'grass', 'bath', 'path' have the long /ɑː/ vowel. In General American, they have the short /æ/ vowel.
It is informal slang. Its acceptability depends entirely on context. It is neutral in certain informal or subcultural settings but would be inappropriate in formal or conservative situations.