Abrasive

Pronunciation: /əˈbreɪsɪv/

Definitions of abrasive

adjective causing irritation, rough in texture, harsh in manner

Example Sentences

A1 The sandpaper felt abrasive against my skin.

A2 She has an abrasive personality, always speaking harshly to others.

B1 The abrasive cleaner removed the tough stains from the kitchen counter.

B2 His abrasive attitude towards his coworkers caused tension in the office.

C1 The abrasive criticism from the art critic left the artist feeling demoralized.

C2 The abrasive texture of the fabric made it uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Examples of abrasive in a Sentence

formal The abrasive material is used for smoothing and polishing surfaces.

informal Her abrasive personality can be off-putting to some people.

slang I can't stand his abrasive attitude.

figurative His words were abrasive, leaving a mark on her confidence.

Grammatical Forms of abrasive

• past tense: abraded
• plural: abrasives
• comparative: more abrasive
• superlative: most abrasive
• present tense: abrasives
• future tense: will abrade
• perfect tense: has abraded
• continuous tense: is abrading
• singular: abrasive
• positive degree: abrasive
• infinitive: to abrade
• gerund: abrading
• participle: abraded

Origin and Evolution of abrasive

First Known Use: 1656 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'abrasive' originated from the Latin word 'abrasivus', which is derived from the verb 'abradere' meaning 'to scrape off'.

Evolution of the word: Originally used in a literal sense to describe something that causes abrasion or erosion through rubbing or scraping. Over time, the word has also come to be used metaphorically to describe a person or behavior that is harsh, rough, or unpleasant.