English · Food & Drink
grate
/ɡreɪt/
[/ɡreɪt/]
rub food into small pieces on a tool
Intermediateverb
Definition
To rub food such as cheese or carrots against a rough metal tool to break it into small pieces. It can also be a noun for a metal frame.
Example
Please grate some cheese over the pasta.
Please grate some cheese over the pasta.
Etymology
From Old French 'grater' (to scrape).
How & Where It’s Used
Common in cooking; 'grate on someone' means to annoy them.