Word: grating (adjective / noun)

Associations

• As an adjective, "grating" describes a sound or feeling that is unpleasant, harsh, or irritating.
• As a noun, "grating" refers to a frame of metal or wood bars, like a cover or barrier, often used on windows, drains, or floors.

Examples as adjective:

• The sound of nails on a chalkboard is very grating. (Here, "grating" means annoying or harsh sound.)
• Her grating voice made it hard to listen to her story. (The voice is unpleasant to hear.)
• The constant noise from the construction was grating on my nerves. (The noise is irritating.)

Examples as noun:

• The grating over the drain kept leaves from falling in. (A metal or wooden cover with bars.)
• He stepped carefully over the metal grating on the sidewalk. (A protective or supportive structure.)
• The window had a grating to prevent people from breaking in. (A barrier made of bars.)

Synonym difference:

• As an adjective, "grating" is similar to "harsh" or "irritating," but "grating" often implies a sound that is physically unpleasant to the ears.
• As a noun, "grating" is similar to "grid" or "mesh," but "grating" usually refers to a rigid frame with bars spaced apart.

Substitution

• Adjective: You can use "harsh," "irritating," "jarring," or "abrasive" instead of "grating." For example, "grating voice" → "harsh voice."
• Noun: You can use "grid," "mesh," "barrier," or "cover" depending on the object. For example, "metal grating" → "metal grid."

Deconstruction

• The word "grating" comes from the verb "to grate," which means to scrape or make a harsh sound.
• The suffix "-ing" turns the verb into either a noun (the thing that grates) or an adjective (describing something that causes a grating effect).
• Historically, "grate" comes from Old French "grater," meaning to scratch or scrape.

Inquiry

• Can you think of a sound you find grating? Why does it bother you?
• Have you ever seen a grating on a street or window? What was its purpose?
• How would you describe a grating voice or noise to someone who has never heard it?