[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/grunt/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [G](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/g/) / grunt

# grunt

verb (grunt, grunts, grunted, grunting); noun (a grunt, grunts)

«grunt» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To grunt is to make a short low sound in your throat, like a pig. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grunt/#m1)
2. A grunt is that sound. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grunt/#m2)
3. People grunt when lifting something heavy, or to answer without words when they are tired or grumpy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grunt/#m3)
4. (slang) A grunt is a low-ranking soldier or worker who does hard, boring jobs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grunt/#m4)

### In the lessons

In stories, a grunt shows a character is grumpy, tired or straining. Pigs grunt, and so do tennis players hitting hard. «Grunt work» means boring hard work.

### Examples

- The pig grunted in the mud. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grunt/#x1)
- Dad grunted as he lifted the sofa. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grunt/#x2)
- My brother just grunts when I ask about school. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grunt/#x3)
- The tennis player grunted with every shot. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grunt/#x4)
- He gave a grunt of agreement. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grunt/#x5)
- I got stuck with all the grunt work. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grunt/#x6)
- But the ugly old Fairy only grunted and made no answer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grunt/#x7)

### Note

Past: grunted. Grunting instead of answering can seem rude.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «grunt» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/G/grunt/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«grunt» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/grunt.html) on Mova free.