Graze: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used when animals eat grass in a field. This term is often applied to livestock, such as cows or sheep, and generally refers to eating while moving around slowly.

• The cows are grazing in the meadow.
• Sheep were grazing on the hillside.

A more general term indicating the act of eating. This can be used for humans, animals, or even metaphorically. It covers all types of eating activities and doesn't specify the type of food or manner of eating.

• They went to feed the ducks at the pond.
• The baby needs to be fed every few hours.
• The data is fed into the computer.

Used when animals, particularly browsers like goats and deer, selectively eat leaves, young shoots, and other high-growing vegetation. This term can also refer to humans looking through items casually, such as in a store or on the internet.

• The deer browsed on the tender leaves of the trees.
• She browsed through the clothing racks.

Refers to the act of searching for food, often applied to animals or humans in survival scenarios. It implies a more active seeking out of food resources, typically in the wild.

• Squirrels forage for nuts during the autumn.
• During the hike, they had to forage for berries and plants.

This is a duplicate entry. Refer to the initial context and examples provided for 'graze'.

Commonly used when something or someone lightly touches something else in passing. It can also refer to cleaning or arranging hair with a brush.

• She felt a brush of his hand against hers
• Every morning, she brushes her hair

Generically used for any situation where one thing comes into contact with another, often implying a gentle or simple contact.

• She touched his arm to get his attention
• Be careful not to touch the wet paint

Used when referring to moving lightly over a surface, often water, or when quickly reading through text.

• The stone skimmed across the lake
• He skimmed the article to get the main points

A minor injury where the skin is lightly rubbed or scratched, causing little damage, often due to a small accident or contact with a rough surface.

• She fell off her bike and got a graze on her knee
• The toddler came running with a small graze on his hand

A thin, narrow wound or mark caused by something sharp like a nail or a thorn, often leaving a visible line.

• She scratched her arm on a thorny bush
• The cat left a scratch on the furniture

A light injury or mark caused by rubbing or dragging against a rough surface, often causing slight damage or loss of top layer skin.

• He got a scrape on his elbow from the rough wall
• The car's paint had a few scrapes from the narrow parking space

A more formal or medical term for a surface wound caused by friction, often used in a clinical or descriptive setting.

• The doctor cleaned the abrasion on her arm
• The hiker had multiple abrasions from his fall