grunt

grunt · noun, verb

imported

Definitions

noun, verb

  1. 1.

    (noun) A low, short sound made by a pig or a person.

  2. 2.

    (noun, informal) A low-ranking soldier or worker; someone who does hard, routine work.

  3. 3.

    (verb) To make a low, inarticulate sound, typically to express effort, displeasure, or acknowledgment.

  4. 4.

    (verb) To say something in a low, inarticulate voice.

Forms

plural: grunts

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    grunt work — Hard, tedious, and often physical labor
  • •
    give a grunt — To make a brief, noncommittal response
  • •
    grunt and groan — To make sounds of effort or discomfort

Related words

See also: groan, murmur, mutter, snort
Synonyms: groan, murmur, snort

Etymology

From Old English grunnettan ("to grunt"), frequentative of grunnian, of imitative origin. Related to German grunzen ("to grunt").