grate
B2Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To shred food into small pieces using a grater; or to make a harsh, irritating sound.
To have an irritating effect on someone's nerves or feelings; to scrape or rub against something with a rough or jarring action.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb 'grate' encompasses both the physical action of shredding and the figurative meaning of causing irritation. The noun 'grate' refers to a framework of metal bars, e.g., in a fireplace.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both share core meanings. The physical object (fire grate) might be slightly more common in UK historical contexts, but usage is nearly identical.
Connotations
Identical.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] (intransitive): His voice grates.[V + on/against NP]: It grates on my nerves.[V + NP] (transitive): Grate the Parmesan.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Grate on someone's nerves”
- “Sound that sets your teeth on edge (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly figurative: 'The constant micromanagement began to grate on the team.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical/architectural contexts for the noun.
Everyday
Common, especially in cooking contexts and describing irritating sounds/behaviour.
Technical
In culinary and some mechanical contexts (grating mechanisms).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you grate some nutmeg for the custard?
- The squeaky hinge is starting to grate on me.
- He grated the zest finely into the bowl.
American English
- Grate the potatoes for the hash browns.
- Her know-it-all attitude really grates on my nerves.
- The metal chair grated against the concrete floor.
adverb
British English
- N/A (Not standard; 'gratingly' is possible but rare).
American English
- N/A (Not standard; 'gratingly' is possible but rare).
adjective
British English
- The grating noise continued for hours. (from verb 'grate')
American English
- He has a particularly grating laugh. (from verb 'grate')
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I will grate the cheese for the pasta.
- The sound is loud and it grates.
- Grate the carrot and add it to the salad.
- His constant complaining began to grate on her.
- After grating the lemon zest, be careful not to include the bitter white pith.
- The politician's evasive answers grated against the public's desire for transparency.
- The film's simplistic moral dichotomy grated with critics, who found it intellectually dishonest.
- Years of bureaucratic inertia had grated away his initial enthusiasm for the project.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cheese GRATER - the sound it makes and the action of shredding both define the word.
Conceptual Metaphor
IRRITATION IS A PHYSICAL ABRASION (His comment grated on me).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'great' (/ɡreɪt/ homophone).
- The noun 'grate' (решётка) is different from 'gate' (ворота).
- The verb 'to grate' is not the same as 'to scratch' (царапать) lightly.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'His laugh is really grating on me' (Correct).
- Incorrect: 'Grate the cheese on the pizza' (Ambiguous: use 'over' or 'onto').
- Confusing spelling: 'grate' vs. 'great'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'grate' in its FIGURATIVE sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a homophone of 'great', which means large, excellent, or important. Context is key for distinction.
Yes, a 'grate' is a framework of metal bars, like in a fireplace ('fire grate') or a drain cover.
In cooking, they are often synonyms. However, 'shred' can imply slightly longer, thinner pieces (like shredded lettuce), while 'grate' implies smaller, often finer pieces made by rubbing against a rough surface.
No, it's an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot say 'It grated my nerves on'. It is always 'It grated on my nerves'.