grouts: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 / RareInformal (for tea dregs), Technical (for verb form/material)
Quick answer
What does “grouts” mean?
The coarse sediment or grounds that settle at the bottom of a liquid, such as in tea or coffee.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The coarse sediment or grounds that settle at the bottom of a liquid, such as in tea or coffee; the dregs.
A specific, more common UK term for the residue left in a teapot after brewing. In technical/specialist contexts, can refer to small pieces of stone or coarse particles. Also the third person singular of the rare verb 'to grout' (to fill gaps with a liquid mixture).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The noun 'grouts' (dregs) is almost exclusively British regional. The verb form 'grouts' is understood in both varieties but is technical.
Connotations
In UK, 'grouts' (noun) can evoke domestic, slightly old-fashioned imagery (e.g., washing out the teapot). In both, the verb is neutral/technical.
Frequency
Noun form is very rare in AmE. Verb form is low-frequency in both, but slightly more common in AmE due to 'grout' being a standard DIY term.
Grammar
How to Use “grouts” in a Sentence
[Subject] grouts [Object] (e.g., He grouts the tiles).[Noun] grouts (e.g., The teapot had thick grouts).Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grouts” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The builder grouts the new kitchen tiles carefully.
- Make sure she grouts between the slabs to prevent weeds.
American English
- The contractor grouts the shower stall with epoxy.
- He always grouts his tile work before sealing it.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused.
Academic
Possible in historical or dialectology texts for the noun; in archaeology/construction for the verb.
Everyday
Rare. UK: Possibly used by older generations discussing tea. DIY: 'He grouts the bathroom.'
Technical
Construction: 'The tile setter grouts the joints.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grouts”
- Treating 'grouts' (noun) as singular (incorrect: 'a grout' for dregs). Confusing with 'groats' (crushed grain).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is rare. The noun form (tea dregs) is a British regionalism. The verb form is technical (construction).
No. As a noun referring to dregs/grounds, it is almost always plural ('the grouts'). The singular 'grout' refers to the material used in construction.
'Grounds' is the standard, more common term for coffee/tea sediment. 'Grouts' is a dialectal variant, primarily for tea, and suggests a coarser, settled mass.
Etymologically, yes—both derive from Old English 'grūt' meaning coarse meal. Semantically, they have diverged: the verb is about filling gaps with a paste, the noun is about residual particles.
The coarse sediment or grounds that settle at the bottom of a liquid, such as in tea or coffee.
Grouts is usually informal (for tea dregs), technical (for verb form/material) in register.
Grouts: in British English it is pronounced /ɡraʊts/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɡraʊts/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None common for this specific form.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GRounds' that are 'OUT' of the drink and sit at the bottom = GROUTS.
Conceptual Metaphor
WASTE/REMNANTS ARE SEDIMENT (e.g., the grouts of society).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the plural noun 'grouts' most likely to be used in British English?