Abrade Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🔪

Add to dictionary

abrade

[əˈbreɪd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

skin

To scrape or wear away by friction or erosion. To irritate or wear down someone's patience.

Synonyms

erode, irritate, scrape, scratch.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
abrade	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
scratch	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
scrape	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
erode	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
irritate	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

Examples of usage

The rough surface abraded my skin.
The constant noise abraded her nerves.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

metal

To wear down or rub away by friction. To remove metal by mechanical means.

Synonyms

grind, polish, scour.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
abrade	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	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	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	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.

Examples of usage

The metal abraded against the rough surface.
The tool abrades the metal to create a smooth finish.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

medical

An area of damaged skin or tissue caused by scraping or wearing away.

Synonyms

abrasion, scrape, scratch.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
abrade	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
scratch	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
scrape	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
abrasion	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

Examples of usage

The wound was a result of the abrasion against the rough surface.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Science

Abrasion is a common process in geology, where rocks can be worn down by wind, water, or ice over time.
In materials science, abrasion tests are crucial to determining how well materials can resist wear and tear.
The human body also experiences abrasion, such as skin wear due to friction, which can lead to calluses or scrapes.

Art

Some artists use abrading techniques to create texture in their paintings or sculptures.
The process of sanding wood is a form of abrading, commonly used in woodworking to create a smooth finish.
In printmaking, artists may abrade surfaces to alter the image quality intentionally.

Everyday Life

Common household items such as sandpaper are designed specifically for abrasively smoothing surfaces.
In skin care, exfoliation can be seen as a gentle form of abrading to remove dead skin cells.
Even tools like nails and screws can experience abrasion, affecting their efficiency over time.

Origin of 'abrade'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Latin 'abrasus', which means 'to scrape off'.
It is related to the Latin word 'radere', meaning 'to scrape' or 'to shave'.
The modern form has been used in English since the 16th century, reflecting its roots in the action of scraping.

The word 'abrade' originated from the Latin word 'abradere', which means 'to scrape off'. It has been used in the English language since the 17th century. The term is commonly used in various fields such as dermatology, mechanics, and materials science to describe the process of wearing away or scraping off material through friction. Abrasion can occur naturally, as in the case of skin abrasions, or it can be intentionally induced, such as in metalworking processes. The word 'abrade' conveys the idea of gradual erosion or removal through repeated friction.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,268, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

...
37265 misjudging
37266 minuend
37267 discomposure
37268 abrade
37269 harken
37270 grapeshot
37271 anaconda
...