grate

¹grate

verb \ˈgrāt\

grat·edgrat·ing

Definition of GRATE

transitive verb

1

archaic : abrade

2

: to reduce to small particles by rubbing on something rough <grate cheese>

3

: fret, irritate

4

a : to gnash or grind noisily b : to cause to make a rasping sound c : to utter in a harsh voice

intransitive verb

1

: to rub or rasp noisily

2

: to cause irritation : jar <a voice that grates on the nerves>

— grat·er noun

— grat·ing·ly \ˈgrā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

Origin of GRATE

Middle English, from Anglo-French grater to scratch, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German krazzōn to scratch

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with GRATE

ait, bait, bate, blate, cate, crate, date, eight, fate, fete, freight, gait, gate, great, haet, hate, late, mate, pate, plait, plate, prate, quoit, rate, sate, skate, slate, spate, state, straight, strait, teth, trait, wait, weight