Abrade: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically refers to wearing away a surface through friction or rubbing, often in a mechanical or physical sense.

• The constant rubbing of the ropes started to abrade the wooden post
• The rough sandpaper will abrade the metal surface

Often refers to making a small cut or mark on a surface with a sharp object or experiencing an itch that needs to be scratched.

• She used a key to scratch her initials into the bark
• His pet cat likes to scratch the furniture

Can be used to denote removing a layer from a surface through a scraping motion, or moving something with difficulty across a surface.

• He had to scrape the ice off his windshield
• The chair legs scrape loudly against the floor

Generally used to describe the gradual wearing away of something by natural forces like wind or water, and can also be used metaphorically.

• Over time, the river will erode the banks
• Trust between them started to erode after the disagreement

Usually refers to causing annoyance or slight inflammation, either in a physical or emotional sense. It often has a negative connotation.

• Wearing wool can sometimes irritate sensitive skin
• Her constant questioning started to irritate him

Abrade is typically used to describe the process of wearing down or scraping off material through friction. This is often used in scientific, technical, or medical contexts.

• The metal surface was abraded by sandpaper.
• The dermatologist suggested a procedure to abrade the damaged skin.

Grind usually refers to breaking something into smaller pieces or powder, often using mechanical force. It is commonly used in cooking, manufacturing, and everyday contexts.

• Grind the coffee beans to the desired consistency.
• The machine was used to grind the grains into flour.

Polish involves making a surface smooth and shiny by rubbing it. This word is often used in contexts related to cleaning, maintenance, and aesthetics.

• He polished his shoes until they shone.
• The jeweler carefully polished the diamond ring.

Scour involves cleaning or scrubbing something very thoroughly, often with a lot of effort. It is frequently used in domestic cleaning or in describing thorough searches. This word can have a somewhat negative connotation when indicating harshness.

• She scoured the pots and pans until they were spotless.
• The police scoured the area for evidence.

Usually used in technical or medical contexts to describe the process of wearing down or rubbing off a surface, such as skin or metal.

• The constant movement of the machinery abraded the metal parts

Refers to making shallow cuts or marks on a surface. This word is often used in general conversation and can depict minor injuries, surface damage, or even just itching.

• I scratched the car with my keys by accident

Used in everyday language to describe the action of dragging something across a surface, often resulting in a mark or minor injury.

• She scraped her knee when she fell on the pavement

Commonly used in medical contexts to refer to a wound where the skin is scraped off; also used to describe wear and tear on surfaces.

• He suffered minor abrasions from falling off his bike