grunt
1grunt
verb \ˈgrənt\: to make a short, low sound : to make a grunt
: to say (something) with a grunt
Full Definition of GRUNT
intransitive verb
: to utter a grunt
transitive verb
: to utter with a grunt
— grunt·er noun
See Examples of GRUNT
- The workers were grunting with effort as they lifted the heavy furniture.
- She grunted a few words in reply, then turned and walked away.
Origin of GRUNT
Middle English, from Old English grunnettan, frequentative of grunian, of imitative origin
First Known Use: before 12th century
2grunt
noun: a short, low sound from the throat
: a U.S. soldier especially in the Vietnam War
: a person who does ordinary and boring work
Full Definition of GRUNT
1
a : the deep short sound characteristic of a hog b : a similar sound
2
[from the noise it makes when taken from the water] : any of a family (Haemulidae syn. Pomadasyidae) of chiefly tropical marine bony fishes
3
: a dessert made by dropping biscuit dough on top of boiling berries and steaming <blueberry grunt>
4
a : a United States army or marine foot soldier especially in the Vietnam War b : one who does routine unglamorous work —often used attributively <grunt work>
Examples of GRUNT
- the grunt of a pig
- I could hear the grunts of the movers as they lifted the heavy furniture.
- He answered her with a grunt.
- He was a grunt who worked his way up to become an officer.
- He's just a grunt in the attorney's office.
Illustration of GRUNT
First Known Use of GRUNT
1553
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