# grind

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈɡɹaɪnd/ · frequency rank #7,795

## Definitions
1. To reduce to smaller pieces by crushing with lateral motion.
2. To shape with the force of friction.
3. To remove material by rubbing with an abrasive surface.
4. To become ground, pulverized, or polished by friction.
5. To move with much difficulty or friction; to grate.
6. To slide the flat portion of a skateboard or snowboard across an obstacle such as a railing.
7. To oppress, hold down or weaken.
8. To rotate the hips erotically.
9. To dance in a sexually suggestive way with both partners in very close proximity, often pressed against each other.
10. To rub one's body against another's in a sexual way; to frottage.
11. To repeat a task a large number of times in a row to achieve a specific goal.
12. To operate by turning a crank.
13. To produce mechanically and repetitively as if by turning a crank.
14. To automatically format and indent code.
15. To eat.
16. To instill through repetitive teaching.
17. To work or study hard; to hustle or drudge.
18. To annoy or irritate (a person); to grind one's gears.

## Etymology
From Middle English grynden, from Old English grindan, from Proto-West Germanic *grindan, from Proto-Germanic *grindaną.
Cognate with Saterland Frisian gríende, griene (“to grind, mill”), Dutch grinden (“to grind”, rare) and grind (“gravel, shingle”), Albanian grind (“to brawl, fight”).

## Easily confused with
- **grip** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-grip)
- **grit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-grit)
- **guild** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-guild)
- **grips** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-grips)
- **groin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-groin)
- **grunt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-grunt)
- **grits** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-grits)
- **grins** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-grins)
- **gripe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-gripe)
- **grist** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-grist)
- **gronk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-gronk)
- **ground** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-ground)
- **grinds** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-grinds)
- **grundy** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-grundy)
- **gringo** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-gringo)
- **grinder** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-grinder)
- **grinned** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grind-vs-grinned)
- **gin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gin-vs-grind)
- **gain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/gain-vs-grind)
- **grid** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/grid-vs-grind)

## Common misspellings (8)
`ggrind`, `girnd`, `gridn`, `grindd`, `grinnd`, `grnid`, `grrind`, `rgind`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/grind