Gritty

Question

'Gritty' is closer in meaning to 'brave' or 'resolute'?

Clive · Accepted Answer

HI,

It doesn't mean either.

Clive

Futurist · Answer

The original sense of the word is 'of the nature of or resembling grit; containing, consisting of, or full of grit; sandy'. However, the word does have a figurative sense meaning something like brave and resolute. Someone who's gritty just doesn't wash away; they're made of sterner stuff than mere flesh. This sense is recorded in the Oxford English Dictionary. The first quotation is from 1843. The OED's definition:

U.S. colloq. Having firmness of character or courage; full of determination or pluck.

That definition was written some time ago. My New Oxford Dictionary of English has seen fit to drop the 'US colloquial' badge. The dictionary also makes it clear that someone who's gritty is both brave and resolute. The NOED's definition:

showing courage and resolve.

Gritty

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