0%

against the grain

a·gainst the grain
A a

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [uh-genst, uh-geynst stressed th ee greyn]
    • /əˈgɛnst, əˈgeɪnst stressed ði greɪn/
    • /əˈɡenst ðə ɡreɪn/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [uh-genst, uh-geynst stressed th ee greyn]
    • /əˈgɛnst, əˈgeɪnst stressed ði greɪn/

Definitions of against the grain words

  • noun against the grain contrary to one's feelings, nature, wishes, etc.; irritating or displeasing 3
  • noun against the grain a small, hard seed, especially the seed of a food plant such as wheat, corn, rye, oats, rice, or millet. 1
  • noun against the grain the gathered seed of food plants, especially of cereal plants. 1
  • noun against the grain such plants collectively. 1
  • noun against the grain any small, hard particle, as of sand, gold, pepper, or gunpowder. 1
  • noun against the grain the smallest unit of weight in most systems, originally determined by the weight of a plump grain of wheat. In the U.S. and British systems, as in avoirdupois, troy, and apothecaries' weights, the grain is identical. In an avoirdupois ounce there are 437.5 grains; in the troy and apothecaries' ounces there are 480 grains (one grain equals 0.0648 gram). 1
See all 31 definitions of against the grain

Information block about the term

Origin of against the grain

First appearance:

before 1250
One of the 11% oldest English words
1250-1300; Middle English grain, grein < Old French grain < Latin grānum seed, grain; see corn1

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Against the grain

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of Against the grain

against the grain popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 99% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

against the grain usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for against the grain

adj against the grain

  • allergic — If you are allergic to something, you become ill or get a rash when you eat it, smell it, or touch it.
  • antipathetic — having or arousing a strong aversion
  • antithetical — Something that is antithetical to something else is the opposite of it and is unable to exist with it.
  • averse — If you say that you are not averse to something, you mean that you quite like it or quite want to do it.
  • clashing — to make a loud, harsh noise: The gears of the old car clashed and grated.
All 71 Synonyms of against the grain

Antonyms for against the grain

adj against the grain

  • assisting — to give support or aid to; help: Please assist him in moving the furniture.
  • compatible — If things, for example systems, ideas, and beliefs, are compatible, they work well together or can exist together successfully.
  • similar — having a likeness or resemblance, especially in a general way: two similar houses.
  • aiding — to provide support for or relief to; help: to aid the homeless victims of the fire.
  • helping — the act of helping; aid or assistance; relief or succor.
All 9 Antonyms of against the grain

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?