grommet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Informal (in surfing context)
Quick answer
What does “grommet” mean?
A small, usually rubber or plastic, ring or eyelet used to reinforce or protect a hole in material, or to allow a rope, cable, or cord to pass through.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small, usually rubber or plastic, ring or eyelet used to reinforce or protect a hole in material, or to allow a rope, cable, or cord to pass through.
1. A young or inexperienced surfer or skateboarder (chiefly Australian). 2. (Surgery) A tube inserted into the eardrum to drain fluid from the middle ear (tympanostomy tube).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In UK English, 'grommet' is the standard spelling for the ring/eyelet. The medical tube is also 'grommet'. In US English, the spelling 'grommet' is standard, but the medical device is more often called an 'ear tube' or 'tympanostomy tube'. The surfing term is largely Australian.
Connotations
UK: Neutral/technical. US: Neutral/technical, with the medical sense less commonly referred to as 'grommet'. Aus: Can have a slightly affectionate or teasing connotation when referring to a young surfer.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English for the medical procedure ('have grommets fitted'). In US English, 'eyelet' is a common synonym for the hardware item.
Grammar
How to Use “grommet” in a Sentence
to fit/insert a grommet in/into [material/hole]to have grommets fitted (medical)[cord/rope] passes through the grommetVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grommet” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to grommet the edges of the new tarpaulin.
American English
- The technician will grommet the panel for the wiring harness.
adjective
British English
- The grommet strip provides a neat finish.
American English
- Use a grommet tool for installation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In manufacturing or hardware retail, referring to components for cables, tarps, or clothing.
Academic
In medical literature on paediatric otolaryngology (ear tube surgery).
Everyday
Rare in general conversation except when discussing a child's ear operation or specific DIY/craft projects.
Technical
Core usage in engineering, sailing (for sail reinforcement), electronics (cable management), and medicine.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grommet”
- Misspelling as 'gromet' or 'gromit'.
- Using 'grommet' to refer to any small fastener (e.g., a screw or rivet).
- Confusing with 'eyelet', which is often thinner/metallic, while a grommet often has a flange and is heavier-duty.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are similar. An eyelet is often a simpler, single-piece metal ring. A grommet is typically a two-piece (male/female) heavy-duty ring, often made of rubber or plastic, used for reinforcement and strain relief.
A tympanostomy tube (grommet) is surgically inserted into the eardrum to allow air into the middle ear and drain fluid, relieving pressure and preventing recurrent infections, common in children.
Yes, though it's technical. It means to fit or provide with a grommet (e.g., 'to grommet a banner').
It originates from the mid-17th century, from obsolete French 'gromette' meaning 'curb of a bridle', from 'gourmer' 'to curb', of unknown ultimate origin.
A small, usually rubber or plastic, ring or eyelet used to reinforce or protect a hole in material, or to allow a rope, cable, or cord to pass through.
Grommet is usually technical / informal (in surfing context) in register.
Grommet: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡrɒm.ɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡrɑː.mɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None common.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a small, helpful 'gremlin' (sounds like 'grommet') that sits in a hole to stop it from fraying or to guide a rope through neatly.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GATEKEEPER or GUIDE for lines/cables (it controls passage through an opening). A PROTECTOR (it shields the material from wear).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'grommet' used to describe a person?