C1verb2K

Grind

UK /["/ɡraɪnd/","/ɡraɪndz/","/ɡraʊnd/","/ˈɡraɪndɪŋ/"]/US /["/ɡraɪnd/","/ɡraɪndz/","/ɡraʊnd/","/ˈɡraɪndɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to break or press something into very small pieces between two hard surfaces or using a special machine

In simple words: To crush something into small pieces or to work hard at something.

Examples

  • Every morning, I grind coffee beans to make fresh espresso.
  • The machine will grind the wheat into fine flour.
  • He had to grind the metal parts to fit them perfectly.
  • After weeks of training, she continued to grind at the gym to improve her endurance.
  • Students often have to grind for exams by studying late into the night.
  • In video games, players grind to collect rare items and level up their characters.
  • The skateboarder performed a cool grind on the rail.
  • She did a grind slide on her snowboard down the rail park.

Usage notes

Used in both literal and figurative contexts. In informal language, it's common to refer to working hard as 'grinding.' Avoid in very formal settings.

Grammar pattern

grind + object

Memory hint

Think of a coffee grinder – it grinds coffee beans into powder!

Collocations

  • coarsely
  • finely
  • down
  • into
  • to
  • freshly ground
  • coarsely
  • finely
  • down
  • into
  • to
  • freshly ground
  • coarsely
  • finely
  • down
  • into
  • to
  • freshly ground

Synonyms

  • crush
  • mill
  • grate
  • sharpen
  • work hard

Antonyms

  • rest
  • relax
  • idle

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'ground' – 'grind' is the action, 'ground' is the result.
  • Using 'grind' in a non-physical context without clarification.
  • Mixing up verb forms, such as 'grinded' instead of 'ground'.