Grind: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used when reducing something to small particles or powder using a mill, grinder, or hands.

• Grind the coffee beans before brewing
• He needs to grind the spices for the recipe

Used when breaking something into smaller pieces through force or pressure, often into coarse fragments or a paste.

• Crush the garlic cloves with the side of a knife
• She accidentally crushed the berries under her foot

Descriptive of reducing to fine particles or powder, but with a focus on complete destruction, often used in more intense or figurative contexts.

• The machine can pulverize rocks into dust
• His argument completely pulverized their case

Used specifically when shredding food into fine pieces using a grater.

• Grate the cheese over the pasta
• She needs to grate a carrot for the salad

Refers to removing or rasping something off a surface by rubbing with a sharp or rough tool.

• Scrape the frost off the car windows
• She had to scrape off the burnt bits from the pan

Used informally to describe continuous hard work or effort. This could apply to physical labor or mental tasks.

• He has been grinding for weeks to meet the project deadline.
• The grind of daily workouts is starting to pay off.

Usually refers to a smooth, controlled movement over a surface. It is often used in both literal and figurative contexts.

• The children love to slide down the hill in winter.
• He managed to slide the book across the table without anyone noticing.

Commonly used to describe an uncontrollable slide, especially of a vehicle on a slippery surface. This term tends to have a negative or dangerous connotation.

• The car began to skid on the icy road.
• She skidded and fell while trying to stop quickly.

Often used when describing the action of dragging something rough or sharp across a surface, making a small cut or abrasion. Can also describe a challenging situation where minimal resources are used.

• He had to scrape the ice off the car windshield.
• They managed to scrape together just enough money for the trip.