Use grit for coarse, abrasive particles — typically sand or fine stone. In industrial contexts, grit is graded by size (e.g., '80-grit sandpaper' means 80 abrasive particles per inch). In road maintenance, 'gritting' means spreading grit on icy roads.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| There was grit in the flour. | There was grit in the oysters. (flour contamination would more likely be described as 'grit or debris'; 'grit in flour' is unusual phrasing) |
| 120-grit sandpaper is rougher than 60-grit. | 60-grit sandpaper is rougher than 120-grit — a higher grit number means finer abrasive particles. |
Use grit to describe long-term tenacity rather than a single act of bravery. In psychology (after Angela Duckworth's research), grit specifically refers to sustained passion and perseverance for long-term goals. It differs from mere stubbornness in that it is purposeful.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| She showed grit by jumping into the river to save the child. | She showed bravery by jumping into the river. (grit implies long-term perseverance, not a single spontaneous act) |
Grit as a verb appears almost exclusively in the phrase 'grit one's teeth', meaning either literally to clench the teeth in pain or effort, or figuratively to endure something unpleasant with determination.
| Incorrect | Correct |
| She gritted in pain. | She gritted her teeth in pain. |
Always use the plural form grits when referring to the dish: 'a bowl of grits', 'shrimp and grits'. Using 'grit' for the dish sounds odd in American usage. In the American South, grits are a cultural staple and are served savoury (with butter, cheese, or shrimp) or sweet (with sugar).
| Incorrect | Correct |
| I had a bowl of grit for breakfast. | I had a bowl of grits for breakfast. |
| Grits and polenta are the same thing. | Grits are made from coarsely ground hominy (treated corn); polenta is made from non-treated fine cornmeal — they are related but distinct. |
Use grit for coarse particles, for long-term mental toughness, or in 'grit one's teeth'. The food is always grits (plural). In psychology, grit specifically denotes sustained passion and perseverance for long-term goals.
The food is always grits (plural), not 'grit'. The figurative sense (courage) implies sustained perseverance, not a single brave act. In sandpaper grading, higher numbers mean finer grit — the opposite of what many assume.
From Old English gréot ('sand, dust, earth'), from Proto-Germanic greutą, related to Old Norse grjót ('stones') and German Grieß ('semolina, coarse grain'). The figurative sense of 'courage and fortitude' developed in 19th-century American English — famously popularised by Charles Portis's 1968 novel True Grit. The food 'grits' shares the same root via coarsely ground grain.
What does grit mean?
Grit has four main senses. As a noun, it means coarse sand or stone particles ('there was grit in my eye'), or mental toughness and perseverance ('she showed grit under pressure'). As a verb, it means to clench the teeth ('grit your teeth'). In American English, grits (plural) is a Southern cornmeal porridge.
What is grit in psychology?
In psychology, grit refers to the combination of sustained passion and perseverance for long-term goals, regardless of setbacks. The concept was popularised by psychologist Angela Duckworth, who found that grit — more than talent or IQ — predicts long-term achievement in demanding fields.
What does 'grit your teeth' mean?
'Grit your teeth' literally means to clench your teeth firmly, especially in pain or effort. Figuratively, it means to endure something difficult or unpleasant with determination, keeping your composure: 'just grit your teeth and get through it'.
What are grits?
Grits are a Southern American dish made from coarsely ground hominy (dried maize treated with alkali). Boiled into a thick, creamy porridge, they are a staple of Southern US cuisine, served savoury (with butter, cheese, or shrimp) or sometimes sweet. The dish is always referred to in the plural.
What is the origin of grit as a word for courage?
The figurative sense of grit meaning 'courage and mental toughness' developed in 19th-century American English. It was widely popularised by Charles Portis's 1968 novel True Grit, in which a girl hires a marshal she describes as having 'true grit' to avenge her father's murder.