Grittiness: meaning, definitions and examples

Use when describing a texture that feels like it has small, hard particles. It often has connotations of being tough or resilient.

• The grittiness of the sandpaper helped smooth out the wooden surface
• The city has a certain grittiness that gives it character

Use when talking about surfaces that are not smooth or when describing harsh manners, actions, or conditions.

• The roughness of the road made the drive uncomfortable
• His roughness in handling the situation only made things worse

Use when referring to a rough, uneven texture or when speaking about someone's language or behavior as being rude or vulgar.

• The coarseness of the fabric irritated her skin
• His coarseness in conversation made others uncomfortable

Use when describing textures or images that appear to be made of small particles or grains, often in photography or video.

• The graininess of the old photograph added to its vintage appeal
• The soup's graininess resulted from the crushed beans

Grittiness describes a combination of courage and determination, often used in contexts where someone shows sustained effort and persistence through tough conditions.

• The grittiness of the athlete was evident as she finished the marathon despite her injury
• || His grittiness helped him overcome all obstacles in his path

Determination should be used when referring to someone's firmness of purpose and their resolve to achieve something despite the odds.

• His determination to finish the race was inspiring
• || She faced every challenge with unyielding determination

Courage is best used when talking about the ability to face danger, fear, or difficulty. It often involves situations where there is a risk or threat.

• She showed great courage by standing up to the bully
• || It takes a lot of courage to jump out of a plane

Perseverance is suitable when talking about continuous effort and persistence over a long period of time, usually to achieve a goal.

• Her perseverance in studying late every night paid off when she got her degree
• || The team's perseverance finally led them to victory