grunt
pronunciation
How to pronounce grunt in British English:
UK [grʌnt]
How to pronounce grunt in American English:
US [ɡrʌnt]
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- Noun:
- the short low gruff noise of the kind made by pigs
- an unskilled or low-ranking soldier or other worker
- medium-sized tropical marine food fishes that utter a grunting sound when caught
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- Verb:
- issue a grunting, low, animal-like noise
Word Origin
- grunt (v.)
- Old English grunnettan "to grunt," frequentative of grunian "to grunt," probably imitative (compare Danish grynte, Old High German grunnizon, German grunzen "to grunt," French grogner, Latin grunnire "to grunt"). Related: Grunted; grunting. Grunter "a pig" is from 1640s.
- grunt (n.)
- 1550s, from grunt (v.); as a type of fish, from 1713, so called from the noise they make when hauled from the water; meaning "infantry soldier" emerged in U.S. military slang during Vietnam War (first recorded in print 1969); used since 1900 of various low-level workers. Grunt work first recorded 1977.
Example
- 1. Make a scrunched up face or grunt .
- 2. He gave a grunt of approval .
- 3. Warren trent gave a satisfied grunt .
- 4. Harry gave a noncommittal grunt .
- 5. Few people enjoy doing the grunt work .