Gritty: meaning, definitions and examples

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gritty

[ˈɡrɪti ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

description

showing courage and determination; tough and resolute

Synonyms

determined, resolute, tough.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gritty	Use 'gritty' when describing someone who shows courage and fierce persistence in the face of difficulty. It often implies a raw and rugged approach. The gritty detective never gave up on the case, no matter how dangerous. Her gritty performance in the rugged terrain impressed everyone.
tough	Use 'tough' when describing someone who is strong, resilient, and capable of enduring difficult conditions. It can also refer to someone who is uncompromising, which may carry a negative connotation in some cases. The job was tough, but she handled it with incredible resilience. He has a tough exterior but is very kind at heart.
resolute	Use 'resolute' when describing someone who is admirably purposeful, unwavering, and firm in their decisions. This word conveys a sense of moral strength and certainty. With a resolute expression, she announced her plan to the group. His resolute stance on the issue won the respect of his colleagues.
determined	Use 'determined' when someone is firmly resolved to achieve a goal and won't let obstacles stand in their way. It is a neutral term that shows strong motivation. He was determined to finish the marathon despite his injury. Her determined attitude helped her secure the promotion.

Examples of usage

He played a gritty police officer in the movie.
The team showed a gritty performance in the final match.
She has a gritty determination to succeed.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

texture

containing or covered with grit; sandy

Synonyms

grainy, rough, sandy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
gritty	Used to describe something with a tough texture or to depict something unpolished and realistic. It can also imply a determined and courageous attitude. The movie presented a gritty portrayal of life in the inner city. His hands felt gritty after a day of working with concrete.
sandy	Appropriate for describing something that contains or resembles sand, or places where sand is prevalent. After a day at the beach, their shoes were filled with sandy particles. The desert landscape was vast and sandy.
grainy	Best for when describing the texture of a surface that has small, hard particles, or when referring to the quality of images or videos with visible granules due to poor resolution. The photograph appeared grainy because it was taken with a low-quality camera. The bread had a grainy texture because of the whole grains.
rough	Used for describing surfaces that are coarse and uneven or to talk about something harsh or difficult. It can also mean an outline that is not final. The rough texture of the sandpaper is effective for smoothing surfaces. She's had a rough day and needs to rest.

Examples of usage

The gritty texture of the sand stuck to his feet.
She scrubbed the pot until all the gritty residue was removed.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from 'grit,' which refers to small, coarse particles like sand, symbolizing toughness.
It was first used in the early 19th century to describe both physical texture and mental resilience.

Pop Culture

Many action movies feature gritty themes, showcasing characters facing dark and intense challenges.
The term is often used in film and literature, like in the gritty style of detective novels or urban drama.

Psychology

Research shows that individuals with a gritty mindset are more likely to achieve long-term goals due to perseverance.
Gritty personality traits, such as resilience and passion, can lead to greater success in various fields.

Art

In visual arts, a gritty style might depict harsh realities or raw emotions, often using dark colors and rough techniques.
Gritty realism is a popular approach in literature and cinema, focusing on authentic and unfiltered experiences of life.

Sports

Athletes often embody a gritty mentality, pushing through pain and adversity to achieve their goals.
In team sports, having a gritty player can inspire teammates and change the dynamics of the game.

Translations

Translations of the word "gritty" in other languages:

🇵🇹 arenoso

🇮🇳 रेतिला

🇩🇪 körnig

🇮🇩 berpasir

🇺🇦 зернистий

🇵🇱 ziarnisty

🇯🇵 砂っぽい

🇫🇷 granuleux

🇪🇸 arenoso

🇹🇷 kumlu

🇰🇷 거친

🇸🇦 رملي

🇨🇿 zrnitý

🇸🇰 zrnitý

🇨🇳 粗糙的

🇸🇮 zrnast

🇮🇸 kornótt

🇰🇿 түйіршік

🇬🇪 ქვიშიანი

🇦🇿 qumlu

🇲🇽 arenoso

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,467, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
19464 melodious
19465 tern
19466 gruesome
19467 gritty
19468 sheeting
19469 trotting
19470 patriarchy
...